Using 'Hacer' for Snow
Mistake: “Saying 'Hace nieve'”
Correction: Está nevando / Nieva
How to say
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
neutral🌍
The simple present tense. It can mean 'it is snowing' (in some contexts) or 'it snows' (general fact).
When to use: Use when talking about climate generally (e.g., 'It snows here in winter') or sometimes in short, quick updates.
Cae nieve
★★★★☆
KAH-eh NYEH-veh
neutral🌎 🇪🇸
Literally translates to 'snow is falling.' It is very descriptive and commonly used.
When to use: Great for descriptive storytelling or reporting the weather conditions.
Hay nieve
★★★★★
EYE NYEH-veh
neutral🌍
Translates to 'there is snow.' This describes the result (snow on the ground) rather than the action of falling.
When to use: Use this when looking at a snowy landscape, even if it stopped snowing hours ago.
Está cayendo una nevada
★★★☆☆
ehs-TAH kah-YEHN-doh OO-nah neh-VAH-dah
neutral🇪🇸 🇲🇽
Refers to a 'snowfall' or 'snowstorm' specifically.
When to use: Use when the snow is significant, heavy, or accumulating into a storm.
Está cayendo nieve
★★★★☆
ehs-TAH kah-YEHN-doh NYEH-veh
casual🌎
A slightly longer version of 'cae nieve' that emphasizes the action happening right now.
When to use: Interchangeable with 'está nevando' in conversation.
🔑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
Overall Difficulty:beginnerMaster in a few minutes
Pronunciation2/5
Quite easy. The only trick is the diphthong 'ie' in 'nieve' (nyeh-veh) and the soft B/V sound.
Grammar2/5
The present progressive (está + ando) is one of the easiest verb forms to master.
Cultural Nuance1/5
Straightforward usage, no hidden double meanings.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering not to use 'hace nieve'
- Distinguishing between 'nieve' (noun) and 'nevar' (verb)
💡Examples in Action
Excited observation at homeA1
¡Mira por la ventana, está nevando!
Look out the window, it's snowing!
Discussing climate/weather patternsA2
Aquí nunca nieva en diciembre.
It never snows here in December.
Travel warning/driving adviceB1
Hay mucha nieve en la carretera, ten cuidado.
There is a lot of snow on the road, be careful.
Recounting a weather eventB2
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
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
Preferred:Está nevando / Nieva
Pronunciation:Standard Castilian
Alternatives:
Cae una nevada
In Spain, you might hear 'está cayendo una buena' (a good one is falling) implying a heavy snowfall (or rain).
⚠️ Note: None
🌍
Argentina / Chile (Southern Cone)
Preferred:Está nevando / Cae nieve
Pronunciation:Soft 'y' sound for 'll' or 'y' sounds
Alternatives:
Está cayendo nieve
Since skiing is popular in the Andes, vocabulary related to snow quality (nieve polvo, nieve dura) is common here.
⚠️ Note: None
🇲🇽
Mexico
Preferred:Está nevando
Pronunciation:Clear, standard pronunciation
Alternatives:
Está cayendo aguanieve (sleet)
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.
⚠️ Note: Assuming it snows everywhere—it's mostly high altitudes only.
🧠Memory Tricks
Nevada State Connection
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-'.
Nivea Cream
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:
"It makes snow (Literal translation of Hace Nieve)"
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?
Use phrases naturally, not mechanically
Knowing a phrase is one thing — using it at the right moment is another. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see phrases in the contexts where they actually belong.
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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