Inklingo

How to Say "mist" in Spanish

English → Spanish

niebla

/NYEH-blah//ˈnje.βla/

nounA2general
Use 'niebla' for a general, often dense, atmospheric condition that reduces visibility, similar to fog.
A storybook illustration of a single dark green tree shrouded almost entirely by thick, swirling white fog.

Examples

La niebla era tan espesa que tuvimos que conducir despacio.

The fog was so thick that we had to drive slowly.

Cuando hay niebla, los vuelos se retrasan a menudo.

When there is mist, flights are often delayed.

Gender Alert

Remember that 'niebla' is always a feminine word, so you must use feminine articles and adjectives with it (e.g., 'la niebla', 'una niebla fría').

Using 'estar' instead of 'haber'

Mistake:La niebla está.

Correction: Hay niebla. (Use the impersonal form of 'haber'—'hay'—to talk about weather phenomena that simply exist, like 'There is fog'.)

vapor

/bah-POR//baˈpoɾ/

nounA2general
Use 'vapor' when referring to visible water vapor, like steam from a hot liquid or a light, misty haze.
White, wispy steam rising from the spout of a dark kettle placed on a stove burner.

Examples

El vapor que sale de la tetera está muy caliente.

The steam coming out of the kettle is very hot.

El aire acondicionado crea un vapor frío en la habitación.

The air conditioner creates a cold vapor in the room.

La olla a presión suelta mucho vapor.

The pressure cooker releases a lot of steam.

Gender Check

Remember that 'vapor' is masculine, so always use 'el' (el vapor) and masculine adjectives (vapor caliente).

brisa

/BREE-sah//ˈbɾisa/

nounB2general
Use 'brisa' specifically for very light rain or drizzle, often felt as a fine spray, not a thick atmospheric condition.
A soft, light mist falling over a green meadow.

Examples

No es una tormenta, solo es una brisa.

It's not a storm, it's just a mist/drizzle.

Multiple Meanings

Context is key. If you are in the Caribbean and it's cloudy, people might be talking about light rain rather than wind.

Niebla vs. Brisa

The most common mistake is using 'brisa' for any kind of mist. Remember, 'brisa' implies very fine, light rain or drizzle, while 'niebla' refers to a thicker atmospheric condition that obscures vision, much like fog.

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