Using 'Es' instead of 'Hace'
Mistake: “Saying 'Es viento' or 'Es ventoso'.”
Correction: Hace viento.
How to say
It is windy
in SpanishHace viento
AH-seh BYEHN-toh
The most standard way to describe windy weather in Spanish. It literally translates to 'It makes wind.'
💬Other Ways to Say It
Hace mucho viento
★★★★★
AH-seh MOO-choh BYEHN-toh
neutral🌍
Used when the wind is strong. Note that we use 'mucho' (a lot) because 'viento' is a noun, not 'muy' (very).
When to use: When the wind is noticeably strong or annoying.
Hace aire
★★★★★
AH-seh EYE-reh
informal🇲🇽 🌍
Literally 'it makes air.' In Mexico, this is extremely common and interchangeable with 'hace viento.'
When to use: In casual conversation, especially in Mexico.
Hay viento
★★★★☆
EYE BYEHN-toh
neutral🌍
Literally 'There is wind.' It focuses on the existence of wind rather than the weather condition itself.
When to use: Often used when warning someone or describing conditions for an activity (e.g., sailing).
Está ventoso
★★★☆☆
ehs-TAH behn-TOH-soh
neutral/formal🌍
Uses the adjective 'ventoso' (windy). This sounds a bit more like a weather report than a casual observation.
When to use: When reading a forecast or describing a climate, less common in quick chat.
Corre viento
★★★☆☆
KOH-rreh BYEHN-toh
neutral🇦🇷 🇨🇱 🇺🇾
Literally 'wind runs.' A dynamic way to say the wind is blowing.
When to use: Common in the Southern Cone regions when describing a breeze or draft.
Hace un ventarrón
★★★☆☆
AH-seh oon ben-tah-RROHN
informal🌎 🏝️
'Ventarrón' implies a very strong, gusty wind or gale.
When to use: When the wind is powerful enough to knock things over or is particularly chaotic.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
There are three main ways to talk about wind, depending on where you are and how technical you want to be.
| Phrase | Literal Meaning | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hace viento | Standard, everyday conversation anywhere. | Never - it's always correct. | |
| Hace aire | Daily conversation in Mexico and Central America. | In Spain or South America (they'll understand, but it sounds odd). | |
| Está ventoso | Reading weather reports or describing a climate. | Quick casual remarks (it sounds a bit stiff). |
📈Difficulty Level
Overall Difficulty:beginnerMaster in 1-2 days of practice
Pronunciation2/5
Easy, but watch the 'ie' dipthong in 'viento' and the soft 'b/v' sound.
Grammar2/5
Requires remembering to use 'hacer' instead of 'to be', and 'mucho' instead of 'muy'.
Cultural Nuance2/5
Straightforward, though regional preference for 'aire' vs 'viento' exists.
Key Challenges:
- Using 'mucho' instead of 'muy'
- Remembering 'hace' implies action
💡Examples in Action
Advice to a friend before going outsideA2
No te pongas sombrero hoy, hace mucho viento.
Don't wear a hat today, it's very windy.
Small talk, reacting to the weather upon stepping outsideA1
¡Uy! Qué viento hace esta tarde.
Wow! It's so windy this afternoon.
Discussing travel plans or the newsB1
El pronóstico dice que estará ventoso mañana.
The forecast says it will be windy tomorrow.
Household request, common in MexicoA2
Cierra la ventana, que se mete el aire.
Close the window, the wind (air) is getting in.
🌍Cultural Context
Weather is something that nature 'Does'
In English, we describe what the weather 'is' (it is windy, it is sunny). In Spanish, weather is often viewed as an action that nature 'makes' or 'does.' That's why we use the verb 'hacer' (to make/do). So, 'hace viento' literally means 'it makes wind.'
The Fear of 'El Aire' in Mexico
In Mexico, you will often hear 'hace aire' instead of 'hace viento.' Culturally, 'el aire' (the air/wind) is sometimes blamed for sicknesses. Grandmothers might warn you not to go out in 'el aire' without a jacket, as getting hit by a cold draft is seen as a surefire way to catch a cold or get an earache.
Named Winds
In many Spanish-speaking regions, specific winds have their own names. In Spain, you might hear about the 'Levante' (strong easterly wind) or 'Poniente.' In Argentina, the 'Zonda' is a famous hot, dry wind coming down from the Andes that is said to make people irritable!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Muy' instead of 'Mucho'
Mistake: “Saying 'Hace muy viento'.”
Correction: Hace mucho viento.
Using 'Está' with the noun
Mistake: “Saying 'Está viento'.”
Correction: Hace viento OR Está ventoso.
💡Pro Tips
Describing intensity
Since 'viento' is a noun, you can't simply add 'very.' To make it stronger, use 'mucho' (a lot). To make it slightly less intense, you can use 'un poco de viento' (a little bit of wind).
The 'V' sound
Remember that the 'v' in 'viento' is softer than in English. It sounds almost exactly like a 'b'. Try saying 'Byehn-toh' with your lips barely touching, rather than biting your lip like an English 'v'.
🗺️Regional Variations
🇲🇽
Mexico
Preferred:Hace aire
Pronunciation:Standard Latin American accent
Alternatives:
Hace vientoEstá airoso
Mexicans use 'aire' (air) interchangeably with 'viento' (wind). You might hear 'Se soltó el aire' (The wind got loose/started blowing).
⚠️ Note: Don't be confused if someone says 'close the window because of the air'—they mean the wind.
🇪🇸
Spain
Preferred:Hace viento
Pronunciation:Thick 'th' sound for 'hace' (AH-theh) in some regions
Alternatives:
Hace un día de perros (if stormy)Sopla viento
In coastal areas, locals are very specific about wind direction (Levante vs Poniente) as it affects beach plans drastically.
🌍
Argentina / Chile
Preferred:Hay viento / Corre viento
Pronunciation:Sheismo on 'll'/'y' sounds doesn't apply here, but intonation is distinct.
Alternatives:
Se levantó viento (The wind picked up)
In Patagonia, wind is constant, so they might use intensifiers like 'viento de locos' (crazy wind).
💬What Comes Next?
Complaining about the weather
They say:
¡Hace mucho viento hoy!
It's very windy today!
→
You respond:
Sí, se va a volar todo.
Yes, everything is going to fly away.
Walking outside on a cold, windy day
They say:
Qué frío hace con este viento.
It's so cold with this wind.
→
You respond:
Mejor entremos.
We'd better go inside.
🧠Memory Tricks
The 'Ace' of Weather
Think of the verb 'HACE' (sounds like Ace). Nature is the 'Ace' player dealing out the weather. Nature *makes* the wind. It *makes* the heat.
Mucho vs Muy
Think 'Macho' -> 'Mucho'. Wind is strong and masculine (el viento), so it needs 'Mucho', not 'Muy'.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest mental shift is moving from a descriptive structure ('It IS windy') to an active structure ('It MAKES wind'). English treats weather as a state of being; Spanish often treats it as an atmospheric action or object.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
"It is wind"
Why it''s different: In English this sounds wrong, but learners often try to translate 'It is windy' as 'Es viento'.
Use instead: Hace viento (It makes wind).
🎯Your Learning Path
✏️Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz: It is windy
Question 1 of 3
How do you say 'It is very windy'?
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 'Está viento'?
No, that is grammatically incorrect. You are mixing the verb 'to be' (estar) with a noun (viento). You must either say 'Hace viento' (It makes wind) or transform the noun into an adjective: 'Está ventoso' (It is windy).
Why do Spanish speakers say 'hace' (makes) for weather?
It's just a different way of conceptualizing the world. Spanish views weather phenomena (heat, cold, wind, sun) as things that nature produces or makes, rather than just descriptions of how the day 'is'.
Is 'ventoso' common?
It's understood everywhere, but it sounds a bit formal or technical. You'll hear it on the news or read it in a book, but in casual conversation, 'hace viento' is used 90% of the time.
How do I say 'a breeze' instead of strong wind?
You can say 'hay una brisa' (there is a breeze) or 'corre una brisa' (a breeze is running). This implies a gentle, usually pleasant wind.
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