Fredda

Fredda is the feminine singular form of the Italian adjective freddo, meaning cold. It describes something with low temperature or a cold impression, and it agrees with feminine nouns and pronouns (for example: una notte fredda, l’acqua fredda). The corresponding masculine form is freddo, and the plural forms are freddi (masc.) and fredde (fem.).

Etymology and form: fredda derives from the Latin frigidus and follows the typical Italian inflection pattern for adjectives ending in -o that become -a in the feminine. Like other adjectives, fredda can express physical temperature as well as figurative sense, such as a cold or aloof demeanor (una persona fredda) or a chilly atmosphere in prose or poetry.

Usage notes: In everyday language, the impersonal phrase fa freddo is used to describe weather in general, while specific conditions are described with noun phrases such as una notte fredda or l’acqua fredda. When describing people or characters, fredda usually modifies feminine nouns (una donna fredda, una critica fredda) and is paired with its masculine counterpart freddo for non-feminine references. The expression can carry emotional nuance, from literal cold to emotional reserve.

Proper nouns and names: Fredda is not a common given name or toponym, but in rare cases it may appear as a feminine given name in Italian-speaking contexts.

See also: freddo, freddamente.