Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Climate in Spanish: Clima
Clima · noun · KLEE-mah
The Spanish word 'clima' is a near-perfect cognate of English 'climate,' but with an important caveat: in everyday Latin American Spanish, 'clima' is also commonly used to mean 'weather' (the short-term atmospheric conditions), while formal usage reserves it for long-term climate patterns. This dual usage means '¿cómo está el clima?' can mean both 'how's the weather?' and 'what's the climate like?'
Say 'clima' as KLEE-mah with stress on the first syllable. It is one of the few masculine nouns ending in '-a' in Spanish (el clima, not la clima).
El clima tropical favorece el crecimiento de frutas exóticas.
The tropical climate favors the growth of exotic fruits.
Climate in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for climate, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| clima | climate | KLEE-mah | Default, widely understood |
| ambiente | climate | climate/atmosphere of a place figuratively |
How Native Speakers Use Clima
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Environmental science
El cambio climático afecta el clima de todo el planeta.
Climate change affects the climate of the entire planet.
Scientific discussion.
Daily weather
¿Cómo está el clima hoy en tu ciudad?
How's the weather/climate today in your city?
Everyday usage meaning 'weather' in Latin America.
Figurative use
El clima laboral en la empresa mejoró con el nuevo gerente.
The work climate in the company improved with the new manager.
Figurative 'climate' meaning atmosphere.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Clima
Feminine article
Incorrect: La clima de Bogotá es templada.
Correct: El clima de Bogotá es templado.
Despite ending in '-a,' the noun 'clima' is masculine (el clima). This is a common exception that must be memorized, along with other Greek-origin words like 'el problema' and 'el tema.'
Confusing clima with tiempo
Incorrect: El tiempo polar está derritiendo los glaciares.
Correct: El clima polar está derritiendo los glaciares.
For long-term atmospheric patterns (climate), use 'clima.' The word 'tiempo' means 'weather' in Spain (short-term) or 'time.' In scientific contexts, 'clima' always refers to the long-term pattern, not a single day's conditions.
Lock in Climate Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Clima used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using clima in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El clima tropical favorece el crecimiento de frutas exóticas. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Climate in Spanish
- Is 'clima' masculine or feminine in Spanish?
- The noun 'clima' is masculine despite its '-a' ending: 'el clima,' 'el clima templado.' It belongs to a group of Greek-origin words in Spanish that retain masculine gender regardless of their final vowel, alongside 'el problema,' 'el sistema,' 'el tema,' and 'el idioma.'
- What is the difference between 'clima' and 'tiempo' for weather?
- In Spain, 'tiempo' is the standard word for daily weather (¿qué tiempo hace hoy?), while 'clima' refers strictly to long-term patterns. In Latin America, 'clima' handles both meanings—daily weather and long-term climate—making 'tiempo' less common for weather in those regions.
- How do I say 'climate change' in Spanish?
- Climate change is 'cambio climático' in Spanish, using the adjective form 'climático' (derived from 'clima'). This term appears constantly in news, politics, and education across all Spanish-speaking countries and follows the same word order as the English phrase.