I have a cold
in SpanishEstoy resfriado
/ehs-TOY rehs-free-AH-doh/
This is the most common way to describe your state of being sick with a common cold. Note: If you identify as female, change the last 'o' to an 'a' (Estoy resfriada).
💬Other Ways to Say It
Tengo un resfriado
/TEHN-goh oon rehs-free-AH-doh/
Literally translates to 'I have a cold.' It is grammatically identical to the English structure and understood everywhere.
Tengo catarro
/TEHN-goh kah-TAH-rroh/
'Catarro' refers specifically to the congestion and stuffiness in the nose and throat. It's very common in Spain and parts of the Caribbean.
Estoy constipado
/ehs-TOY kohn-stee-PAH-doh/
WARNING: In Spain, this means 'I have a head cold/stuffy nose.' In Latin America, this means 'I am constipated' (digestive issue). Use with caution!
Tengo gripe
/TEHN-goh GREE-peh/
Technically means 'I have the flu,' but in many Latin American countries, people use 'gripe' loosely for any bad cold.
Tengo gripa
/TEHN-goh GREE-pah/
A regional variation of 'gripe' ending in 'a'. Extremely common in Mexico and Colombia.
Ando enfermo
/AHN-doh ehn-FEHR-moh/
Literally 'I am walking around sick.' It means you are feeling under the weather but still functioning.
Me pesqué un resfriado
/meh pehs-KEH oon rehs-free-AH-doh/
Translates to 'I caught a cold' (literally 'fished' a cold).
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
There are three main words for 'cold/flu' that change meaning depending on where you are.
| Phrase | Literal Meaning | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Estoy resfriado | I have a cold | Universal usage in any country | Never (this is the safest option) |
| Tengo gripe/gripa | I have the flu | Heavier symptoms (fever, aches) or general sickness in LatAm | You only have a tiny sniffle (technical misuse) |
| Estoy constipado | I am congested | Spain only | You are in Latin America (means constipated) |
📈Difficulty Level
The combination 'sfri' in 'resfriado' can be a little tricky to say smoothly, and remember to tap the 'r'.
Uses standard 'Estar' (to be) or 'Tener' (to have) conjugations.
Regional vocabulary differences (Spain vs. LatAm) are the biggest hurdle here.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering NOT to say 'Tengo frío'
- Avoiding 'constipado' in Latin America
💡Examples in Action
Lo siento, no puedo ir a la fiesta. Estoy muy resfriada.
I'm sorry, I can't go to the party. I have a bad cold. (Female speaker)
Creo que tengo gripe, me duele todo el cuerpo.
I think I have the flu; my whole body hurts.
No me acerco porque tengo catarro y no quiero pegártelo.
I'm not getting close because I have a cold and I don't want to give it to you.
Llamé al trabajo para decir que estoy enfermo.
I called work to say I am sick.
🌍Cultural Context
The Danger of 'El Sereno' and Air Currents
In many Hispanic cultures, there is a strong belief that cold drafts (corrientes de aire) or the cool night mist (el sereno) directly cause colds. You might hear advice to cover your neck or avoid walking barefoot to prevent catching a cold, much more frequently than in English-speaking cultures.
The Legendary VapoRub
Vick VapoRub is practically a magical cure-all in many Latino households. If you say 'estoy resfriado,' don't be surprised if someone suggests putting 'Vick' on your chest, under your nose, or even on your feet!
No Kisses on the Cheek
In Spanish-speaking countries, greeting with a kiss on the cheek is standard. However, if you have a cold, it is considered polite to back away and say 'No te beso porque estoy resfriado' (I'm not kissing you because I have a cold). People will appreciate the warning.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing Temperature with Illness
Mistake: "Saying 'Tengo frío' to mean 'I have a cold'."
Correction: Tengo un resfriado / Estoy resfriado.
The 'Constipado' Trap
Mistake: "Using 'Estoy constipado' in Latin America."
Correction: Estoy mormado / Tengo la nariz tapada.
Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'
Mistake: "Saying 'Soy resfriado'."
Correction: Estoy resfriado.
💡Pro Tips
Match Your Gender
If you use 'Estoy resfriado' (I am cold-ed), remember that 'resfriado' acts as an adjective. If you are a woman, you must change the 'o' to an 'a' and say 'Estoy resfriada'.
The Polite Sneeze Response
If someone else sneezes, the automatic response is '¡Salud!' (Health). If you sneeze, and someone says 'Salud' to you, simply reply with 'Gracias'.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
Spain uses 'constipado' very frequently for nasal congestion. They also use the verb 'pillar' (to catch/grab) for catching an illness: 'He pillado la gripe'.
Mexico
Mexicans prefer 'gripa' (with an A) over 'gripe'. If your nose is stuffed, you say 'estoy mormado'.
Argentina/Uruguay
It is common to use the adjective 'engripado' (flu-ed) to describe the state of having the flu/bad cold.
📱Texting & Social Media
Estoy enfermo / Estoy mala
WhatsApp / Texting close friends
No voy a ir, toy enfermo 🤧
I'm not going, I'm sick
💬What Comes Next?
You tell someone you are sick
¡Que te mejores!
Get better! / Hope you feel better!
Gracias
Thank you
They ask if you took medicine
¿Ya tomaste algo?
Did you take anything (medicine) yet?
Sí, ya tomé unas pastillas.
Yes, I already took some pills.
🧠Memory Tricks
The word 'resfriado' contains 'frí' (from frío/cold). Think: 'I am res-frio-ado' -> I have been 'cold-ed' or chilled.
🔄How It Differs from English
In English, we almost always use the noun phrase 'I have a cold.' In Spanish, while 'Tengo un resfriado' exists, it is equally or more common to use the adjective phrase 'Estoy resfriado' (I am cold-ed). Spanish also distinguishes strictly between 'being cold' (temperature) and 'having a cold' (illness) with different phrases.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: In Spanish 'Estoy frío' means 'I am cold to the touch' (like a corpse or object). 'Tengo frío' means 'I feel cold'. Neither means you are sick.
Use instead: Estoy resfriado (for illness)
Why it's different: Looks like 'Estoy constipado', but in Latin America, that means the same as in English. In Spain, it means you have a cold.
Use instead: Tengo estreñimiento (for digestive issue) / Estoy resfriado (for cold)
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say I have a headache
Headaches often come with colds, so it's a natural symptom to learn next.
How to say Get Well Soon
You need to know how to respond when someone else tells you they are sick.
How to make a doctor's appointment
Practical next step if the cold gets worse.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: I have a cold
Question 1 of 3
You are shivering because the air conditioning is too strong. What do you say?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'Tengo frío' and 'Tengo un resfriado'?
This is the most common mistake! 'Tengo frío' means you feel cold temperature-wise (you need a sweater). 'Tengo un resfriado' means you are sick with a virus (you need medicine).
Can I use 'sick' and 'cold' interchangeably in Spanish?
You can say 'Estoy enfermo' (I am sick) to cover everything from a cold to food poisoning. It's a good catch-all phrase if you forget the specific word for cold.
Is 'gripe' the same as 'flu'?
Medically, yes. 'Gripe' means influenza. However, in daily conversation, many Spanish speakers use 'gripe' to describe a very bad cold, even if it isn't technically the flu.
How do I say 'I have a runny nose'?
You can say 'Tengo escurrimiento nasal' (medical) or more commonly 'Se me sale los mocos' (very casual/childish) or simply 'Tengo mucha mucosidad' (I have a lot of mucus).
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