It is snowing
in SpanishEstá nevando
/ehs-TAH neh-VAHN-doh/
The most standard, accurate way to describe that snow is falling right at this moment. It uses the present progressive tense.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Nieva
/NYEH-vah/
The simple present tense. It can mean 'it is snowing' (in some contexts) or 'it snows' (general fact).
Cae nieve
/KAH-eh NYEH-veh/
Literally translates to 'snow is falling.' It is very descriptive and commonly used.
Hay nieve
/EYE NYEH-veh/
Translates to 'there is snow.' This describes the result (snow on the ground) rather than the action of falling.
Está cayendo una nevada
/ehs-TAH kah-YEHN-doh OO-nah neh-VAH-dah/
Refers to a 'snowfall' or 'snowstorm' specifically.
Está cayendo nieve
/ehs-TAH kah-YEHN-doh NYEH-veh/
A slightly longer version of 'cae nieve' that emphasizes the action happening right now.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Understanding the difference between the action of snowing and the presence of snow.
| Phrase | Literal Meaning | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Está nevando | Happening right now | Describing snow on the ground only | |
| Nieva | General facts / Climate | You want to emphasize the current moment | |
| Hay nieve | Describing the landscape/ground | Talking about the snow falling from the sky |
📈Difficulty Level
Quite easy. The only trick is the diphthong 'ie' in 'nieve' (nyeh-veh) and the soft B/V sound.
The present progressive (está + ando) is one of the easiest verb forms to master.
Straightforward usage, no hidden double meanings.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering not to use 'hace nieve'
- Distinguishing between 'nieve' (noun) and 'nevar' (verb)
💡Examples in Action
¡Mira por la ventana, está nevando!
Look out the window, it's snowing!
Aquí nunca nieva en diciembre.
It never snows here in December.
Hay mucha nieve en la carretera, ten cuidado.
There is a lot of snow on the road, be careful.
Ayer cayó una nevada impresionante.
Yesterday an impressive snowfall fell (We had a huge snowstorm yesterday).
🌍Cultural Context
Snow is a Rarity for Many
For a huge portion of the Spanish-speaking world (like the Caribbean, Central America, and coastal areas), snow is extremely rare or non-existent. Seeing snow is often considered a magical, special event for tourists from these regions traveling to places like Spain or the Andes.
The Reverse Seasons
Remember that in South American countries like Argentina and Chile, winter happens during June, July, and August. If you want to say 'it is snowing' in Bariloche or the Andes, you'll likely be saying it while your friends in the US or Europe are at the beach!
The 'Nevado' Mountains
In Andean countries (like Colombia, Ecuador, Peru), you will often hear about a 'Nevado' (like Nevado del Ruiz). This refers to a mountain peak that is permanently covered in snow, even if it's near the equator.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Hacer' for Snow
Mistake: "Saying 'Hace nieve'"
Correction: Está nevando / Nieva
Confusing Noun and Verb
Mistake: "Saying 'Está nieve'"
Correction: Está nevando (verb) OR Hay nieve (noun)
Wrong 'To Be' Verb
Mistake: "Saying 'Es nevando'"
Correction: Está nevando
💡Pro Tips
Focus on the Action vs. The Result
If white flakes are currently falling from the sky, use 'está nevando'. If the sky is clear but the ground is white, use 'hay nieve' (there is snow).
Pronouncing the 'V'
Remember that in Spanish, the 'v' in 'nevar' or 'nieve' sounds very soft, almost like a 'b'. It is not a vibrating 'v' sound like in the English word 'very'.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
In Spain, you might hear 'está cayendo una buena' (a good one is falling) implying a heavy snowfall (or rain).
Argentina / Chile (Southern Cone)
Since skiing is popular in the Andes, vocabulary related to snow quality (nieve polvo, nieve dura) is common here.
Mexico
Snow is very rare in most of Mexico. When it happens, it's major news. You are more likely to hear 'aguanieve' (sleet/wet snow) in northern regions.
🧠Memory Tricks
The US state 'Nevada' was named by the Spanish because of its snowy mountain range (Sierra Nevada). 'Nevada' literally means 'snow-covered' or 'snowfall'. This helps you remember the root 'Nev-'.
Think of the brand 'Nivea' (which comes from the Latin word for snow). The cream is stark white, just like 'la nieve' (the snow).
🔄How It Differs from English
In English, we use 'It is...' for almost all weather (It is sunny, It is snowing, It is windy). In Spanish, we use different verbs for different weather types: 'Hacer' for sun/wind/cold (Hace sol), but specific verbs for precipitation like 'Nevar' (to snow) and 'Llover' (to rain).
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: This follows the pattern of 'Hace sol' (It makes sun/It's sunny), but it is incorrect for snow.
Use instead: Está nevando (It is snowing)
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say it is raining
It uses the exact same grammar structure (Está lloviendo).
How to say it is cold
Snow and cold go together, but 'cold' uses a different verb (Hacer).
Winter vocabulary in Spanish
Expand your ability to describe the scene (ice, gloves, scarf).
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: It is snowing
Question 1 of 3
You look out the window and see flakes falling from the sky right now. What do you say?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I say 'Hace nieve' since I say 'Hace sol'?
No, this is a very common mistake! Spanish treats precipitation (rain and snow) as actions, so they have their own verbs. You must say 'Nieva' or 'Está nevando', never 'Hace nieve'.
What is the difference between 'Nieve' and 'Nevar'?
'Nieve' is the noun (the actual snow substance). 'Nevar' is the verb (the action of snowing). You walk on 'nieve', but look at the sky when it is 'nevando'.
Is 'Está nevando' used in all Spanish countries?
Yes, it is the universal standard. While some regions might prefer 'cae nieve' (snow falls) for poetic or descriptive reasons, 'está nevando' is understood perfectly everywhere.
How do I say 'snowflake' in Spanish?
A snowflake is called a 'copo de nieve' (literally: flake of snow).
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