Let’s learn when to use hacer, tener and estar in Spanish (hacer vs tener vs estar).
Hacer vs Tener vs Estar in Spanish
When “estar” and “to be” do not mix.
Except with certain expressions that are as follows:
·
tener sed = to be thirsty
·
tener hambre = to be hungry
·
tener calor = to be hot (person)
·
tener frío = to be cold (person)
·
hacer calor = to be hot (weather)
·
hacer frío = to be cold (weather)
·
hacer viento = to be windy (weather)
·
tener sueño = to be sleepy*
Weather expressions that could be used with “estar”
estar nublado/a – to be cloudy
estar neblinoso/a – to be foggy
estar lluvioso/a – to be rainy
estar nevoso/a – to be snowy (weather;
not “covered with snow”)
Tip: You don’t say “estoy frío” you say “tengo frío”.
And if it’s cold outside, you don’t say “está frío” you say “hace frío”.
The above phrases can be turned into phrases with “estar” if you change it a bit. The result is that many of these become slightly different in meaning or a bit antiquated:
estar sediento/a – to be parched
estar hambriento/a – to be famished/starving
estar caliente – to be warm/hot to the touch
estar frío/a – to be cold to the touch
estar ventoso/a – to be blustery
sentirse soñoliento/a, somnoliento/a – to feel drowsy/groggy
Here’s where there can be a bit of nuance or situational context needed:
Tengo frío. – I am cold.
Hace frío. – It is cold out(side).
Está frío. – It is cold.
El cuerpo está frío. – The body is cold.
La cama está fría. – The bed is cold.
La nieve es fría. – The snow is cold. [It’s always cold]
Tengo calor. – I am hot.
Hace calor. – It is hot out(side).
Está caliente. – It is hot.
El café está caliente. – The coffee is hot.
La estufa está caliente. – The stove is hot.
La casa está calentita. – The house is (warm and) cozy. [diminutive]
Tengo hambre. – I am hungry.
Estoy hambrienta. – I am so hungry.
Los pobres están hambrientos. – The poor are starving.
El chico es hambriento. – The boy is malnourished / underfed. [Implies a chronic condition]
Es un hombre hambriento de poder. – He’s a power-hungry man.
Tengo sed. – I am thirsty.
Estoy sediento. – I am parched.
La tierra está sedienta. – The land is dry. [implies “in a drought” or “arid”]
Es una mujer sedienta de justicia. – She’s a woman thirsting for justice.
Es una mujer sedienta de sangre. – She’s a bloodthirsty woman.
Note: Avoid saying “estoy caliente” or “estoy frío/a” because they have sexual overtones; try to avoid describing people this way if you can:
e.g.
Estoy caliente. – I am hot and bothered.
Está caliente. – He/She is horny.
Estoy frío/a. – I am frigid. [as in “not wanting sex” or “antisocial”]
Está frío/a. – He/She is a cold fish. [“He/She is a frigid person” OR someone who is detached and doesn’t let people get too close]
You can say: ella tiene mucho calor “she is very warm”
Note:
“Ser frío/a” is equally as extreme meaning “to be a cold person”.
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