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How to Say "unfriendly" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “unfriendly” is “frío” — use 'frío' when describing a person who is emotionally distant, reserved, or not welcoming, often implying a lack of warmth in their personality or actions..

English → Spanish

frío

adjectiveA1general
Use 'frío' when describing a person who is emotionally distant, reserved, or not welcoming, often implying a lack of warmth in their personality or actions.

Examples

Su trato es muy frío, nunca sonríe.

His manner is very unfriendly, he never smiles.

hostil

/ohs-TEEL//osˈtil/

adjectiveB2general
Use 'hostil' to describe an attitude or environment that is actively antagonistic, unwelcoming, or even dangerous.
A cat with an arched back and a dog growling at each other, showing clear opposition and dislike.

Examples

El ambiente en la oficina se ha vuelto hostil.

The atmosphere in the office has become unfriendly.

El desierto es un entorno muy hostil para la vida.

The desert is a very harsh environment for life.

Su actitud fue bastante hostil durante la reunión.

His attitude was quite hostile during the meeting.

No entiendo por qué eres tan hostil con nosotros.

I don't understand why you are so unfriendly toward us.

Gender-Neutral Ending

This word ends in 'l', which means it doesn't change based on gender. You can use 'hostil' for both masculine and feminine things (e.g., 'un hombre hostil' or 'una mujer hostil').

The Silent H

Mistake: “Pronouncing the 'h' like in the English word 'hostile'.”

Correction: In Spanish, the 'h' is always silent. Start the sound directly with the 'o' (ohs-TEEL).

Choosing between 'frío' and 'hostil'

Learners often confuse 'frío' and 'hostil' when describing people. Remember that 'frío' implies emotional distance or a lack of warmth, while 'hostil' suggests active antagonism or aggression.

Related Translations

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