Using 'Hacer' instead of 'Estar'
Mistake: “Saying 'Hace nublado' (It makes cloudy).”
Correction: Está nublado.
How to say
It's cloudy today
in SpanishHoy está nublado
oy ehs-TAH noo-BLAH-doh
The most standard, widely understood way to say the sky is cloudy. It works in any Spanish-speaking country and in any social situation.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Está nublado
★★★★★
ehs-TAH noo-BLAH-doh
neutral🌍
Simply 'It is cloudy.' You can drop the word 'hoy' (today) if the context is obvious.
When to use: The default phrase for describing a cloudy sky.
Hay nubes
★★★★☆
eye NOO-behs
neutral🌍
Literally 'There are clouds.' This is often used when it's partly cloudy or scattered clouds, rather than a completely grey sky.
When to use: Use when you see clouds but the sun might still be peeking through.
Está encapotado
★★★☆☆
ehs-TAH en-kah-poh-TAH-doh
neutral🇪🇸 🌍
Describes a sky that is completely covered with dark, thick clouds, often threatening rain. It comes from the word for 'cape' or 'cloak'.
When to use: Use when the sky looks heavy, grey, and ominous.
El cielo está cubierto
★★★☆☆
el SYEH-loh ehs-TAH koo-BYEHR-toh
neutral🌍
Means 'The sky is covered/overcast.' A slightly more descriptive way to say there is full cloud cover.
When to use: When there is a blanket of clouds and no blue sky is visible.
Está cerrado
★★★☆☆
ehs-TAH seh-RRAH-doh
informal🇲🇽 🇨🇴 🌎
Literally 'It is closed.' This implies the sky is shut tight with clouds and rain is very likely.
When to use: When the weather looks gloomy and storm-like.
Está medio nublado
★★★★☆
ehs-TAH MEH-dyoh noo-BLAH-doh
neutral🌍
Means 'It's partly cloudy' or 'half cloudy.'
When to use: When it's a mix of sun and clouds.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here is a quick guide to choosing the right phrase based on how grey the sky actually looks.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Está nublado | Neutral | General use, standard cloudy days | You want to be poetic or specific about storm clouds |
| Hay nubes | Neutral | Partly cloudy days, white fluffy clouds | The sky is completely grey/overcast |
| Está encapotado | Neutral | Very dark, thick cloud cover (especially in Spain) | There are only a few light clouds |
📈Difficulty Level
Overall Difficulty:beginnerMaster in a few minutes
Pronunciation2/5
The 'b' in 'nublado' is soft (almost like a 'v'), and make sure to pronounce the 'a' as 'ah'. It flows easily.
Grammar2/5
The main challenge is remembering to use 'estar' instead of 'hace', which is used for other weather phrases.
Cultural Nuance1/5
Straightforward usage with no hidden double meanings.
Key Challenges:
- Mixing up 'hace' and 'está' with weather
- Pronouncing the soft 'd' in 'nublado'
💡Examples in Action
Making plans with friendsA2
Hoy está nublado, así que no iremos a la playa.
It's cloudy today, so we won't go to the beach.
Observation about the weather (common in Spain)B1
Parece que va a llover, el cielo está muy encapotado.
It looks like it's going to rain, the sky is very overcast.
Asking for an opinion/predictionA2
¿Crees que hará sol o seguirá nublado?
Do you think it will be sunny or will it stay cloudy?
Describing the temperature vs. sky conditionA2
Aunque hay nubes, hace mucho calor.
Even though there are clouds, it's very hot.
🌍Cultural Context
The 'Elevator Talk' Universal
Just like in English-speaking countries, commenting on the weather is the number one way to break the ice in Spanish. Saying '¡Qué nublado está hoy!' (How cloudy it is today!) is a perfectly safe and polite way to start a conversation with a taxi driver, a shopkeeper, or a neighbor in an elevator anywhere from Madrid to Mexico City.
The 'Cape' Metaphor
In Spain and parts of the Southern Cone, you'll hear the word 'encapotado.' This comes from the word 'capote' (a large cape or cloak, like bullfighters use). It poetically imagines the sky wearing a heavy grey cloak that covers the sun. It's a very evocative way to describe a gloomy day.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'
Mistake: “Saying 'Es nublado'.”
Correction: Está nublado.
💡Pro Tips
Pairing with Temperature
It's very common to combine cloudy weather with temperature descriptions. You can say, 'Está nublado pero hace calor' (It's cloudy but hot). Remember: 'está' for the clouds, 'hace' for the heat.
Spotting the Rain
If the clouds look dark and rain seems imminent, upgrade your vocabulary from 'está nublado' to 'está gris' (it's grey) or 'se está poniendo feo' (it's getting ugly/bad).
🗺️Regional Variations
🇪🇸
Spain
Preferred:Está nublado / Está encapotado
Pronunciation:Standard Castilian pronunciation (th sound for z/c not applicable here)
Alternatives:
Está cubiertoHace un día de perros (if rainy/cold)
Spaniards love the word 'encapotado' for those thick, grey winter skies. They are also very likely to comment on the weather in elevators and shops.
⚠️ Note: None
🇲🇽
Mexico
Preferred:Está nublado
Pronunciation:Clear, standard pronunciation
Alternatives:
Está cerrado (implies storm)Está chipi-chipi (drizzling)
In Mexico, if it's cloudy, people often look for signs of rain immediately. 'Está cerrado' is common when the clouds are dark and low.
⚠️ Note: None
🌍
Caribbean (Puerto Rico, Cuba, DR)
Preferred:Está nublado
Pronunciation:Might drop the 'd' slightly: 'Está nubla'o'
Alternatives:
Hay mucha nubeViene agua (Rain is coming)
Cloudy weather in the Caribbean often moves very fast; it might be cloudy one minute and sunny the next. The pronunciation is faster and more fluid.
⚠️ Note: None
💬What Comes Next?
Someone mentions it's cloudy
They say:
Hoy está muy nublado, ¿no?
It's very cloudy today, isn't it?
→
You respond:
Sí, parece que va a llover.
Yes, it looks like it's going to rain.
Hoping for better weather
They say:
Ojalá salga el sol más tarde.
I hope the sun comes out later.
→
You respond:
No creo, el cielo está muy cerrado.
I don't think so, the sky is very overcast.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is the verb choice. English uses 'It is' for everything (It is sunny, It is cloudy, It is hot). Spanish switches verbs based on the concept: 'Hace' (it makes) for sensations like heat/cold/sun, and 'Está' (it is currently) for states like cloudy/raining. English speakers often try to use 'Es' (permanent 'to be'), which sounds unnatural.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
"It makes cloudy (Literal translation of 'Hace nublado')"
Why it''s different: While we say 'Hace sol' (It makes sun), we cannot say 'Hace nublado'.
Use instead: Está nublado
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say it's raining
Cloudy weather often leads to rain, so this is the logical next step.
How to say it's sunny
Learn the opposite condition to describe all types of days.
How to say it's hot
Learn to switch verbs from 'está' (cloudy) to 'hace' (hot).
✏️Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz: It's cloudy today
Question 1 of 3
Which verb should you use with 'nublado'?
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 nublado' since I say 'Hace sol'?
No, this is a very common mistake! While Spanish uses 'hace' (it makes) for sun and wind, it uses 'está' (it is) for cloudy conditions. Think of 'cloudy' as the *condition* or *mood* of the sky right now.
What is the difference between 'nube' and 'nublado'?
'Nube' is the noun (cloud), while 'nublado' is the adjective (cloudy). You can say 'Hay nubes' (There are clouds) or 'Está nublado' (It is cloudy)—both are correct, but 'está nublado' is the most standard way to describe the weather.
Is 'nublado' masculine or feminine?
'Nublado' is an adjective that usually refers to 'el día' (the day) or 'el cielo' (the sky), both of which are masculine. So, we almost always say 'está nublado' (ending in -o). If you were describing 'la mañana' (the morning), you could technically say 'la mañana está nublada'.
How do I say 'very cloudy'?
You can simply add 'muy' before the adjective: 'Está muy nublado' (It's very cloudy).
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