frío

Frío is a Spanish term that functions as an adjective and as a noun. As an adjective, it describes low temperatures or sensations of coolness, as in una habitación fría or agua fría. As a noun, el frío refers to the cold itself, the phenomenon of low temperature, or a period of cold weather. The concept is relative and often contrasted with terms for warmth or heat.

Etymology and linguistic notes: Frío derives from the Latin frigidus, with cognates in other Romance languages such as frio (Portuguese), freddo (Italian), and froid (French). In standard Spanish, the accent mark on the word indicates the stress on the first syllable: Frí-o. The feminine form is fría, and the plural forms are fríos and frías, depending on gender. The word is commonly used across Spanish-speaking regions to describe weather, objects, and experiences.

Usage and context: In meteorology and daily life, phrases like hace frío, está frío, or el frío se siente intenso are common for describing cold conditions. Expressions such as frío extremo or frío polar convey severe cold, while fría can describe a cold sensation or an aloof demeanor in metaphorical speech. The term also appears in literature, music, and media to convey mood, atmosphere, or emotional distance, underscoring the cultural associations of coldness with distance or restraint. In science, fr í o relates to thermodynamic concepts such as temperature, heat transfer, and cryogenics when discussing low-temperature phenomena.

See also: frialdad, frío, fresco, calor, temperatura.