Without ice
in SpanishSin hielo
/seen YEH-loh/
The standard, universally understood way to ask for a drink without ice cubes. It works in every Spanish-speaking country.
Using a polite gesture along with 'sin hielo' ensures you get exactly what you want.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Sin hielo, por favor
/seen YEH-loh por fah-VOR/
Adding 'please' makes the request softer and more polite, which is highly recommended in service interactions.
Al tiempo
/ahl TYEHM-poh/
Literally means 'at time' (ambient temp). It specifically means you want the drink at room temperature, not refrigerated.
Del tiempo
/dehl TYEHM-poh/
The European Spanish equivalent of 'al tiempo'. It means room temperature.
Natural
/nah-too-RAHL/
Often used for juices or water to indicate no ice and no added coldness.
Con poco hielo
/kohn POH-koh YEH-loh/
Means 'with a little ice' or 'light ice'.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right phrase depends on whether you want the liquid cold or room temperature.
| Phrase | Literal Meaning | Resulting Drink | Best Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sin hielo | |||
| Al tiempo | |||
| Del tiempo |
📈Difficulty Level
The silent 'H' and the vowel combination 'ie' are the only tricks. Once you know H is silent, it's easy.
It's a simple prepositional phrase. No conjugation required.
Understanding the difference between 'no ice' and 'room temperature' varies by country.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering the silent H
- Knowing when to say 'al tiempo' vs 'sin hielo'
💡Examples in Action
Me gustaría una coca cola sin hielo, por favor.
I would like a coca cola without ice, please.
¿Me trae un vaso de agua al tiempo?
Could you bring me a glass of room temperature water?
Para mí, el té helado pero sin mucho hielo.
For me, the iced tea but without much ice.
El jugo de naranja, ¿es natural o viene con hielo?
The orange juice, is it fresh (room temp) or does it come with ice?
🌍Cultural Context
The Ice Difference
In the US, it's standard to fill a cup to the brim with ice. In Spain and many parts of Latin America, ice is often treated more sparingly. You might get just one or two cubes ('cubitos') to chill the drink without watering it down. If you want American-style ice, you might actually have to ask for 'mucho hielo'.
Health Beliefs
In many Hispanic cultures, there is a common belief that drinking very cold beverages is bad for digestion or can cause a sore throat ('dolor de garganta'), especially for children or the elderly. Ordering drinks 'al tiempo' (room temp) is very common for health reasons.
Traveler's Safety
Experienced travelers in rural areas of Latin America often order drinks 'sin hielo' to avoid consuming local tap water. While bottled drinks are safe, the ice might be made from unfiltered water. It's a simple safety precaution to avoid stomach issues.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Pronouncing the H
Mistake: "Pronouncing 'hielo' like 'hello' with an H sound."
Correction: Say 'YEH-loh'
Saying 'No Hielo'
Mistake: "Saying 'No hielo' to mean without ice."
Correction: Say 'Sin hielo'
Confusing Ice Cream and Ice
Mistake: "Asking for 'helado' when you want ice cubes."
Correction: Use 'hielo' for ice cubes.
💡Pro Tips
Specify Temperature vs. Ice
Be aware that 'sin hielo' usually gets you a cold drink (from the fridge) just without cubes. If you have sensitive teeth and want the drink actually warm/room temperature, you must use the regional phrase 'al tiempo' or 'del tiempo'.
The Polite Point
In noisy bars, verbal commands can get lost. It is culturally acceptable to make eye contact with the bartender, say 'sin hielo', and make a gentle 'flat hand' motion (like smoothing a table) to emphasize 'no extra stuff' in the glass.
🗺️Regional Variations
Mexico
In Mexico, 'al tiempo' is extremely common for sodas and beers. If you ask for a beer 'al tiempo', you will get one from the shelf, not the fridge.
Spain
In Spain, if you order water 'del tiempo', it's very normal. Also, coffee with ice is often served as a hot coffee with a separate glass of ice ('café con hielo'), so asking for 'sin hielo' for coffee is redundant unless ordering a frappé.
Caribbean (Cuba, DR, PR)
Because of the heat, ice is standard. If you say 'sin hielo', they might double-check you really want it that way. Juices are often heavily sweetened and iced.
💬What Comes Next?
The waiter confirms your preference
¿Lo quiere frío o al tiempo?
Do you want it cold or room temperature?
Frío, pero sin hielo, por favor.
Cold, but without ice, please.
The drink arrives with ice anyway
Aquí tiene.
Here you go.
Perdón, lo pedí sin hielo. ¿Me lo puede cambiar?
Sorry, I asked for it without ice. Can you change it?
🧠Memory Tricks
Imagine looking into your glass and saying, 'I haven't SEEN (sin) any ice in here.' This helps remember 'sin' means without.
The pronunciation of 'hielo' (YEH-loh) sounds almost exactly like the color 'Yellow'. Imagine yellow snow—you definitely want your drink WITHOUT that!
🔄How It Differs from English
In English, 'no ice' is a direct command or adjective phrase. In Spanish, we use the preposition 'sin' (without). Also, English speakers rarely distinguish between 'no ice' and 'room temperature' as strictly as Spanish speakers do with 'sin hielo' vs 'al tiempo'.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Translating this directly as 'No hielo' sounds broken and aggressive.
Use instead: Sin hielo
Why it's different: Learners often confuse 'hielo' (frozen water) with 'helado' (dessert).
Use instead: Hielo (for drinks), Helado (for dessert)
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'The bill, please'
After finishing your drink, this is the next essential phrase for the restaurant experience.
How to order beer in Spanish
Apply your new 'sin hielo' or 'al tiempo' knowledge to specific drinks.
How to say I am allergic
Another critical phrase for controlling what goes into your food and drink.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: Without ice
Question 1 of 3
You are in Mexico and want a bottle of water that is NOT cold at all (room temperature). What do you say?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just say 'No hielo'?
Technically people will understand you, but it sounds grammatically incorrect and a bit rude, like saying 'No ice!' in a caveman voice. 'Sin hielo' is the correct, natural way to say it.
Does 'sin hielo' mean the drink will be warm?
Not necessarily. Usually, it means they will pour a refrigerated drink into a glass without adding extra ice cubes. If you want it actually warm/room temperature, ask for it 'al tiempo' (Latin America) or 'del tiempo' (Spain).
How do I ask for just a little bit of ice?
You can say 'con poco hielo' (with little ice). This is a great compromise if you want the drink cold but don't want to lose volume to the ice cubes.
Is the ice safe to eat in Spanish-speaking countries?
In major cities and resorts, ice is usually made from purified water and is safe. However, in rural areas or street stalls, it's safer to order drinks 'sin hielo' to avoid potential stomach bugs from tap water ice.
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