Spanish · Body & Health
"Cold (illness)" in Spanish: resfriado
el resfriado
Note: ES: el constipado
A common cold is el resfriado. It is masculine. Say tengo un resfriado when you are sniffling.
Work message
Hoy no voy: tengo un resfriado.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce resfriado
Say it
rehs-free-AH-doh
/res.ˈfɾja.ðo/
rehs-free-AH-doh. Stress AH.
"Cold (illness)" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| el resfriado | the cold (illness) Latin American default. | Latin American default. |
| tengo un resfriado | I have a cold Self-report. | Self-report. |
| resfriado fuerte | bad cold Intensity. | Intensity. |
| por el resfriado | because of the cold Reason. | Reason. |
How to use resfriado in real life
- 1Work message
Hoy no voy: tengo un resfriado.
I'm not going today: I have a cold.
Calling in.
- 2Pharmacy
Algo para el resfriado, por favor.
Something for the cold, please.
Counter.
- 3Friend check-in
El resfriado ya está mejor.
The cold is already better.
Recovery.
Mistakes English speakers make with resfriado
Incorrect: Tengo un cold.
Correct: Tengo un resfriado.
Use resfriado, not English cold.
Incorrect: La resfriado.
Correct: El resfriado.
Resfriado is masculine.
Good to know
In Latin America, el resfriado is the everyday cold. Spain often says constipado—travelers may hear both.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Canceling dinner because of a cold
ChatPal
Se te oye con resfriado.
You sound like you have a cold.
You
Sí. Es un resfriado molesto.
Yes. It's an annoying cold.
ChatPal
Quédate en casa hoy.
Stay home today.
You
De acuerdo. Descanso.
Okay. I'll rest.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Cold (illness)" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Cold (illness)" in Spanish
Gender of resfriado?
Masculine: el resfriado.
I have a cold?
Tengo un resfriado.
Resfriado vs constipado?
Resfriado is common in Latin America.
Pronunciation?
rehs-free-AH-doh.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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