Inklingo

How to Say "wind" in Spanish

English → Spanish

viento

bee-EHN-toh/ˈbjen.to/

nounA1general
Use 'viento' when referring to the movement of air, such as a breeze or a strong gust, that can be felt or heard.
A bright red diamond-shaped kite being carried high by the wind against a clear blue sky, illustrating moving air.

Examples

El viento cerró la puerta de golpe.

The wind slammed the door shut.

Dicen que mañana hará mucho viento, así que no vayas a la playa.

They say it will be very windy tomorrow, so don't go to the beach.

Necesitamos un buen viento para que el barco pueda avanzar.

We need a good wind so the boat can move forward.

Using 'Hacer' for Weather

To say 'it's windy,' Spanish uses the verb 'hacer' (to make/do): 'Hace viento.' You don't say 'Es viento' (It is wind).

Confusing Viento and Aire

Mistake: “Using 'aire' when talking about strong movement, e.g., 'el aire es muy fuerte.'”

Correction: Use 'viento' for strong, noticeable atmospheric movement. 'Aire' often refers to the substance we breathe or a light breeze.

aire

/ai-reh//ˈai.ɾe/

nounA1general
Use 'aire' when talking about air as a general substance, often in the context of freshness, atmosphere, or the air we breathe.
A happy child standing on a green hill, taking a deep breath of fresh air. A gentle, visible blue breeze flows past the child's face, slightly moving their hair.

Examples

Necesito un poco de aire fresco.

I need a bit of fresh air.

El aire acondicionado no funciona.

The air conditioning isn't working.

Vamos a comer al aire libre.

Let's go eat outdoors.

Always 'el aire'

Even though it ends with an '-e', 'aire' is a masculine word. So, you'll always say 'el aire' (the air) or 'un aire' (an air).

Using 'la' instead of 'el'

Mistake: “Me gusta la aire de la mañana.”

Correction: Me gusta el aire de la mañana. Just remember that 'aire' is a masculine word, so it uses 'el'.

pulmones

/pool-MOH-nays//pulˈmones/

nounB2general
Use 'pulmones' to describe a person's breathing capacity or stamina, especially during physical exertion, not the moving air itself.
A cheerful cartoon athlete running strongly and quickly along a winding path stretching far into the distance, symbolizing great endurance.

Examples

Este corredor tiene unos pulmones increíbles; puede correr kilómetros sin cansarse.

This runner has incredible stamina; he can run kilometers without getting tired.

Necesitas pulmones si quieres subir esa montaña sin detenerte.

You need staying power if you want to climb that mountain without stopping.

Figurative Use

In this sense, 'pulmones' describes a person's physical ability to keep going, using the image of strong lungs to represent great endurance.

Confusing 'viento' and 'aire'

Learners often confuse 'viento' and 'aire' because both relate to air. Remember that 'viento' specifically means moving air (like a breeze), while 'aire' is the general term for the substance itself or the atmosphere around us.

Related Translations

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