Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Fog in Spanish: Niebla, Neblina & Bruma
Niebla · noun (feminine) · NYEH-blah
Niebla is the standard Spanish word for fog. Neblina refers to lighter fog or mist. Bruma is used poetically or for coastal haze.
NYEH-blah (niebla) · neh-BLEE-nah (neblina) · BROO-mah (bruma)
La niebla era tan densa que no se veía la carretera.
The fog was so thick you could not see the road.
Fog in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for fog, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| niebla | fog | NYEH-blah | Default, widely understood |
| neblina | fog | lighter fog, mist | |
| bruma | fog | literary or coastal fog/haze |
How Native Speakers Use Niebla
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Weather report
Se espera niebla densa en las carreteras del norte mañana.
Thick fog is expected on northern highways tomorrow.
Niebla densa = thick fog (visibility below 200 meters).
Light mist
Una neblina suave cubría el valle al amanecer.
A soft mist covered the valley at dawn.
Neblina is lighter than niebla — more like mist.
Literary context
El barco desapareció entre la bruma del océano.
The ship disappeared into the ocean fog.
Bruma is poetic and often associated with the sea.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Niebla
Confusing niebla with nube
Incorrect: Hay muchas nieblas en el cielo hoy.
Correct: Hay muchas nubes en el cielo hoy.
Niebla = fog (ground level). Nubes = clouds (in the sky). Different words.
Inventing a cognate
Incorrect: Hay mucha foga esta mañana.
Correct: Hay mucha niebla esta mañana.
There is no Spanish cognate of fog. The correct word is niebla.
Lock in Fog Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Niebla used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using niebla in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear La niebla era tan densa que no se veía la carretera. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Fog in Spanish
- How do you say fog in Spanish?
- Fog is niebla. Light fog/mist = neblina. Poetic/coastal haze = bruma.
- Difference between niebla and neblina?
- Niebla is denser (visibility under 1 km). Neblina is lighter mist. Meteorologists use this distinction.
- How do you say foggy in Spanish?
- Hay niebla (there is fog), or describe the day as un día de niebla.