Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
What Does Resfriado Mean in English?
Resfriado · noun · rehs-free-AH-doh
The Spanish word 'resfriado' translates to 'cold' in English — specifically the common cold illness. It can function as both a noun ('un resfriado' = a cold) and an adjective ('estoy resfriado' = I have a cold). In Spain, 'catarro' is often preferred, while in parts of South America, 'resfrío' is the standard form.
Pronounced rehs-free-AH-doh with stress on the third syllable. The word derives from 'frío' (cold temperature), with the prefix 'res-' indicating the process of catching cold.
Tengo un resfriado fuerte y no puedo ir a trabajar.
I have a bad cold and can't go to work.
Resfriado (Cold) in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for resfriado (cold), with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| resfriado | resfriado (cold) | rehs-free-AH-doh | Default, widely understood |
| resfrío | resfriado (cold) | South America | |
| catarro | resfriado (cold) | Spain | |
| gripe | resfriado (cold) | mild illness (some regions) |
How Native Speakers Use Resfriado
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Calling in sick
No puedo ir a clase hoy porque estoy resfriado.
I can't go to class today because I have a cold.
Uses 'estar resfriado' (to be cold-sick) as the adjectival form, very common in daily speech.
At the pharmacy
¿Qué me recomienda para un resfriado con mucha congestión?
What do you recommend for a cold with heavy congestion?
Practical pharmacy scenario using 'resfriado' as a noun.
Spanish variant
Llevo tres días con catarro y no se me quita la tos.
I've had a cold for three days and the cough won't go away.
Shows the Spain-preferred synonym 'catarro' in everyday usage.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Resfriado
Confusing 'resfriado' with 'frío'
Incorrect: Tengo un frío. (meaning a cold illness)
Correct: Tengo un resfriado. / Estoy resfriado.
In Spanish, 'frío' means cold temperature (weather/sensation), while 'resfriado' means the cold illness. Saying 'tengo un frío' means 'I'm cold' (temperature), not 'I have a cold' (illness).
Gender agreement error
Incorrect: María está resfriado.
Correct: María está resfriada.
When used as an adjective with 'estar,' 'resfriado' must agree in gender: 'resfriado' (masculine) / 'resfriada' (feminine).
Lock in Resfriado (Cold) 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 Resfriado used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using resfriado in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Tengo un resfriado fuerte y no puedo ir a trabajar. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Resfriado (Cold) in Spanish
- What's the difference between 'resfriado,' 'catarro,' and 'gripe'?
- A 'resfriado' and 'catarro' both mean common cold (used interchangeably, with 'catarro' preferred in Spain), while 'gripe' technically means influenza/flu — however, in some Latin American countries, people casually use 'gripe' for any cold-like illness.
- How do I say 'I caught a cold' in Spanish?
- The most natural expressions are 'me resfrié' (I got a cold), 'pesqué un resfriado' (I caught a cold, colloquial), or 'me agarré un resfriado' (Latin America), all conveying the moment of catching the illness.
- Is 'resfriado' a noun or an adjective?
- The word 'resfriado' functions as both — as a noun ('un resfriado' means 'a cold') and as an adjective ('estoy resfriado' means 'I have a cold / I'm sick with a cold'), making it flexible in sentence construction.