Inklingo

How to Say "freezing" in Spanish

English → Spanish

helados

/eh-LAH-dohs//eˈlaðos/

adjectiveA2general
Use 'helados' when describing the sensation of being extremely cold, like having frozen body parts due to low temperatures.
A single green leaf completely covered in sparkling white frost and ice crystals.

Examples

Tengo los pies helados por la nieve.

My feet are freezing because of the snow.

Nos sirvieron unos refrescos helados.

They served us some ice-cold sodas.

Los cristales del coche amanecieron helados.

The car windows were frozen this morning.

Matching the Noun

Use 'helados' only when describing more than one masculine thing (like 'pies' - feet or 'refrescos' - drinks).

Feeling Cold

Mistake: “Estamos helados (meaning you just feel a bit chilly).”

Correction: Tenemos frío.

bloqueo

blo-KEH-oh/bloˈke.o/

nounC1formal
Use 'bloqueo' to refer to the act of freezing or blocking assets, funds, or access, often in a political or economic context.
Three gray naval ships are positioned in a straight line across a blue sea horizon, preventing passage, representing a military blockade.

Examples

El país impuso un bloqueo económico total a su nación vecina.

The country imposed a total economic blockade on its neighboring nation.

El bloqueo de fondos afectó gravemente la operación de la empresa.

The freezing of funds severely affected the company's operation.

Formal Context

This meaning of 'bloqueo' is often found in news reports, academic papers, and official government statements.

Confusing Cold Sensations with Financial Blocks

Learners often mistakenly use 'bloqueo' when they mean to describe feeling cold. Remember that 'bloqueo' refers to a freeze on assets or access, while 'helados' describes the physical sensation of extreme cold.

Related Translations

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