nubes
/NOO-bes/
clouds
The most common meaning of 'nubes' refers to the clouds floating in the sky.
📝 In Action
Hoy hay muchas nubes grises, creo que va a llover.
A1There are many gray clouds today, I think it's going to rain.
Las nubes se movían rápido por el viento fuerte.
A2The clouds were moving quickly because of the strong wind.
Me encanta ver las formas de las nubes cuando estoy en el campo.
B1I love seeing the shapes of the clouds when I'm in the countryside.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender and Number
Remember that 'nubes' is always feminine and plural, so any adjectives describing it must also be feminine and plural (e.g., 'nubes blancas').
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'es' for weather
Mistake: "Es nubes."
Correction: Hay nubes. Use the verb 'haber' (in the form 'hay') when talking about the existence of weather phenomena like clouds or fog.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing the Sky
To say 'it's cloudy,' use the adjective: 'Está nublado.' To talk about the clouds themselves, use the noun: 'Hay muchas nubes.'
Figuratively, 'nubes' can describe the state of daydreaming or having your head in the clouds.
📝 In Action
María siempre está en las nubes y no presta atención a la clase.
B2Maria is always daydreaming (in the clouds) and doesn't pay attention in class.
Se avecinan nubes en la economía mundial, debemos prepararnos.
C1Trouble (clouds) is approaching in the global economy; we must prepare ourselves.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'Estar'
When using the common idiom 'estar en las nubes,' you must use the verb 'estar' (to be temporarily) because it describes a temporary state of mind.
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Use
When 'nubes' refers to problems or conflict, it is often used with verbs that imply movement or arrival, like 'venir' (to come) or 'acercarse' (to approach).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: nubes
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'nubes' in its figurative, non-literal meaning?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'nubes' (plural) used even when referring to a single state of mind?
Many common Spanish idioms use the plural form of a noun even when the concept is singular. 'Estar en las nubes' is one of these set phrases, possibly because the sky is seen as containing many clouds.