[rank_math_breadcrumb]

hacer vs tener vs estar in Spanish

Hacer vs Tener vs Estar in Spanish

Let’s learn when to use hacer, tener and estar in Spanish (hacer vs tener vs estar).
hacer vs estar vs tener

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”.

Read more about the Spanish grammar

Popular Spanish categories to find more words and phrases:

A new category where you can find the top search words and phrases translated into English and Spanish. Be an expert in no time!

English to Spanish

A new category where you can find the top search words and phrases translated into English and Spanish. Be an expert in no time!

This category has hundreds of words translated into Spanish and English. Just like a dictionary!

Translate

This category has hundreds of words translated into Spanish and English. Just like a dictionary!

In this Spanish category, you will find the translation of words and phrases in Spanish, with many sentences that will help you determine how each phrase or word is applied.

Spanish translation

In this Spanish category, you will find the translation of words and phrases in Spanish, with many sentences that will help you determine how each phrase or word is applied.

Here are several infographics if you are looking to learn or teach the basic Spanish vocabulary for foreigners. Learn basic Spanish. Videos and resources to learn basic Spanish, Spanish for beginners.

Basic Spanish language

Here are several infographics if you are looking to learn or teach the basic Spanish vocabulary for foreigners. Learn basic Spanish. Videos and resources to learn basic Spanish, Spanish for beginners.

The different verb tenses of Spanish are essential to understanding the language. Find out how to refer to the past, present, and future.

Spanish Verb Tenses

The different verb tenses of Spanish are essential to understanding the language. Find out how to refer to the past, present, and future.

Spanish to Go offers introductory courses you can take to learn Spanish online at your own pace. Whether you are learning Spanish to study or because you want to travel to a Spanish-speaking country. Find online courses to learn grammar, and basic Spanish.

Courses

Spanish to Go offers introductory courses you can take to learn Spanish online at your own pace. Whether you are learning Spanish to study or because you want to travel to a Spanish-speaking country. Find online courses to learn grammar, and basic Spanish.

Study Spanish grammar, learn the rules, and know-how and when to apply them.

Grammar

Study Spanish grammar, learn the rules, and know-how and when to apply them.

Practice your Spanish skills with basic quizzes. Test yourself and improve your knowledge with free questions. Enjoy basic quizzes with illustrations and more.

Basic Quizzes

Practice your Spanish skills with basic quizzes. Test yourself and improve your knowledge with free questions. Enjoy basic quizzes with illustrations and more.

Start learning basic Spanish vocabulary with words and phrases, with pictures, videos, and audio. Study basic terms in Spanish like a professional.

Basic Spanish

Start learning basic Spanish vocabulary with words and phrases, with pictures, videos, and audio. Study basic terms in Spanish like a professional.

What are the most popular conjugated verbs in Spanish? Learn the conjugation of Spanish verbs. Study Spanish verb tenses with online lessons and examples. Find out which are the most popular verbs.

Conjugated Verbs in Spanish

What are the most popular conjugated verbs in Spanish? Learn the conjugation of Spanish verbs. Study Spanish verb tenses with online lessons and examples. Find out which are the most popular verbs.

Do you think you know about conjugations in Spanish? Practice your Spanish skills with conjugation quizzes. Improve your knowledge with free lessons and quizzes.

Conjugation Quizzes

Do you think you know about conjugations in Spanish? Practice your Spanish skills with conjugation quizzes. Improve your knowledge with free lessons and quizzes.

Learn the Spanish words and phrases with flipbooks. Flip to learn the basic Spanish vocabulary online for free. Study the Spanish language by using a flipbook, choose your favorite ebooks, and flip.

Flipbooks

Learn the Spanish words and phrases with flipbooks. Flip to learn the basic Spanish vocabulary online for free. Study the Spanish language by using a flipbook, choose your favorite ebooks, and flip.

Learn basic Spanish with flashcards. Study Spanish online with helpful lessons and articles including pictures, audio, and more.

Spanish Flashcards

Learn basic Spanish with flashcards. Study Spanish online with helpful lessons and articles including pictures, audio, and more.

Learn basic Spanish verbs with flip cards. Touch and flip. Study Spanish online with helpful lessons and articles including pictures, audio, and more.

Spanish Flip Cards

Learn basic Spanish verbs with flip cards. Touch and flip. Study Spanish online with helpful lessons and articles including pictures, audio, and more.

Learn Spanish for advanced level. Start learning Spanish words and phrases with free online lessons, and helpful articles. Study some Spanish terms and their rules. Learn the second language like a pro.

Spanish for Advanced

Learn Spanish for advanced level. Start learning Spanish words and phrases with free online lessons, and helpful articles. Study some Spanish terms and their rules. Learn the second language like a pro.

Spanish words that start with . Start learning Spanish words and phrases with online lessons, and helpful articles. Study some Spanish terms and their rules. Learn the second language like a pro.

Spanish Words that Start with

Spanish words that start with . Start learning Spanish words and phrases with online lessons, and helpful articles. Study some Spanish terms and their rules. Learn the second language like a pro.

Learn Spanish for intermediate level. Study the Spanish grammar rulers. Enjoy helpful tips about how to use the Spanish grammar.

Spanish for Intermediate

Learn Spanish for intermediate level. Study the Spanish grammar rulers. Enjoy helpful tips about how to use the Spanish grammar.