How to Say "frozen" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “frozen” is “congelado” — use this for food preserved by cold or for a computer screen or financial assets that have stopped functioning.
congelado
kohn-heh-LAH-dohkoŋxeˈlaðo
Examples
El helado está congelado.
The ice cream is frozen.
El pollo está congelado, tenemos que esperar.
The chicken is frozen; we have to wait.
Tengo los pies congelados por la nieve.
My feet are ice-cold because of the snow.
La imagen se quedó congelada durante la llamada.
The image froze during the call.
Matching the word to the item
This word changes its ending to 'congelada' if you are describing something feminine, like 'la carne' (the meat).
Using it for people
Mistake: “Soy congelado.”
Correction: Estoy congelado.
helado
eh-LAH-doheˈlaðo
Examples
El agua del lago está helada en invierno.
The lake water is frozen in winter.
El agua de la piscina está helada.
The water in the pool is icy cold (frozen).
Me quedé helado cuando escuché la noticia.
I was stunned (frozen/shocked) when I heard the news.
Tuvimos que descongelar la carne helada.
We had to thaw the frozen meat.
Agreement
As an adjective, 'helado' must change its ending to match the noun it describes: 'el café helado' (masculine singular), 'la bebida helada' (feminine singular), 'los pies helados' (masculine plural).
Forgetting Agreement
Mistake: “El agua está helado.”
Correction: El agua está helada. Remember that 'agua' is feminine, even though it uses 'el' in the singular, so the adjective must be feminine.
bloqueado
blo-kay-AH-thoblo.keˈa.ðo
Examples
Mi cuenta bancaria está bloqueada.
My bank account is frozen.
El acceso a la calle está bloqueado por el camión.
Access to the street is blocked by the truck.
Mi cuenta del banco está bloqueada y no puedo sacar dinero.
My bank account is frozen and I can't take out money.
He bloqueado a mi ex en todas las redes sociales.
I have blocked my ex on all social media.
Using with 'Estar'
Since being 'blocked' is usually a result of an action or a temporary state, we almost always use the verb 'estar' (to be) with this word.
Matching Gender
Remember to change the ending to 'bloqueada' if the thing you are describing is feminine, like 'la calle' (the street).
Frozen vs. Blocked
Mistake: “Using 'helado' for a frozen bank account.”
Correction: Use 'bloqueado' for digital or financial accounts; 'helado' is only for things that are cold like ice cream!
inmóvil
in-MOH-beelinˈmoβil
Examples
El ratón se quedó inmóvil al ver al gato.
The mouse froze motionless upon seeing the cat.
El gato se quedó inmóvil mirando al pájaro.
The cat stayed motionless watching the bird.
La estatua permanece inmóvil en el centro del parque.
The statue remains still in the center of the park.
Me quedé inmóvil por el miedo cuando escuché el ruido.
I froze with fear when I heard the noise.
One Form for All
This word doesn't change its ending for men or women. You can say 'él está inmóvil' or 'ella está inmóvil' and it stays exactly the same.
Action Verbs Matter
Instead of using 'be' (ser/estar), Spanish speakers often pair this word with 'quedarse' (to stay/become) to describe someone suddenly stopping all movement.
Adding an 'a' for feminine
Mistake: “La niña está inmóvila.”
Correction: La niña está inmóvil. Adjectives ending in 'l' don't change to 'a' when describing females.
colgado
kol-GAH-dohkolˈɡaðo
Examples
Mi ordenador se colgó y perdí mi trabajo.
My computer froze and I lost my work.
La aplicación se quedó colgada justo cuando iba a guardar mi trabajo.
The application froze just when I was about to save my work.
Cuando la pantalla se pone colgada, tienes que reiniciar el equipo.
When the screen gets stuck/frozen, you have to restart the equipment.
The 'Stuck' Feeling
This meaning comes from the idea of being physically suspended and unable to move. It is almost always used with the verb 'quedarse' (to remain/become) to describe the process of getting stuck: 'se quedó colgado'.
Literal vs. Figurative Freezing
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