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A tall, white, closed two-door refrigerator appliance standing in a clean, simple kitchen setting, drawn in a storybook style.

refrigerador

reh-free-heh-rah-DOR

nounmA1
refrigerator?kitchen appliance,fridge?kitchen appliance (informal)

📝 In Action

¿Puedes poner estas verduras en el refrigerador, por favor?

A1

Can you put these vegetables in the refrigerator, please?

El refrigerador está haciendo un ruido extraño, creo que se está dañando.

A2

The fridge is making a strange noise, I think it's breaking down.

Compramos un refrigerador nuevo con dispensador de hielo.

B1

We bought a new refrigerator with an ice dispenser.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • nevera (fridge/refrigerator)
  • frigorífico (refrigerator)
  • frigo (fridge (short form))

Common Collocations

  • abrir el refrigerador – to open the fridge
  • limpiar el refrigerador – to clean the refrigerator
  • un refrigerador industrial – an industrial refrigerator

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun Rule

Since 'refrigerador' ends in -dor, it is a masculine word. Always use the masculine articles 'el' (the) or 'un' (a/an) before it.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Cooling and Freezing

Mistake: "Using 'refrigerador' to refer to the freezer section."

Correction: The *refrigerador* is the main cooling unit. The part that freezes food solid is called *el congelador* (the freezer).

⭐ Usage Tips

The Shorter Way

In daily conversation, especially in Spain and the Caribbean, people often say nevera instead of refrigerador. In Mexico, the short form refri is very common.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: refrigerador

Question 1 of 1

Which of these words refers to the part of the appliance that makes ice, not the main cooling section?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

refrigerar(to refrigerate/to chill) - verb
refrigeración(refrigeration/cooling) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use 'refrigerador' or 'nevera'?

Both are correct and widely understood. 'Refrigerador' is the formal term, but 'nevera' is often shorter and more common in daily chat, especially in Spain. Choose whichever one you find easier to remember!

Why is it 'el refrigerador'?

It is masculine because most Spanish nouns ending in -dor are masculine. You need to use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a) before it.