Meaning
Indicates that snow is falling.
Cultural Background
In Spain, the 'Sierra Nevada' (Snowy Range) in Granada is the southernmost ski resort in Europe. People often say 'nieva' with surprise because much of Spain is quite dry. Snow is rare in most of Mexico, except for high volcanoes like Popocatépetl. When it 'nieva' in cities like Monterrey, it's a major news event. In Bariloche, 'nieva' is the most awaited word for the tourism industry. The 'Fiesta Nacional de la Nieve' celebrates the first snowfalls. In countries like Ecuador or Colombia, 'nieva' only happens in the 'páramos' or on 'nevados' (glaciers). Most citizens have never seen it snow in person.
The 'It' Trap
Never translate the 'It' in 'It snows'. Just say 'Nieva'. Adding 'él' or 'eso' will make you sound like a robot.
Stem Change
Don't forget the 'i'! It's not 'neva', it's 'nieva'. This only happens in the present tense when stressed.
Meaning
Indicates that snow is falling.
The 'It' Trap
Never translate the 'It' in 'It snows'. Just say 'Nieva'. Adding 'él' or 'eso' will make you sound like a robot.
Stem Change
Don't forget the 'i'! It's not 'neva', it's 'nieva'. This only happens in the present tense when stressed.
Use with 'Estar'
If you want to sound more natural when looking out a window, use 'Está nevando' instead of just 'Nieva'.
Snow vs. Slush
Spanish doesn't have as many words for snow as English or Icelandic. 'Nieve' covers almost everything until it becomes 'hielo' (ice) or 'barro' (mud).
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'nevar' in the present tense.
En las montañas de los Andes, ________ mucho en invierno.
The verb 'nevar' has a stem change (e -> ie) and is impersonal (3rd person singular).
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the correct way to say 'It is snowing'.
Weather verbs in Spanish are impersonal and don't take a subject.
Match the Spanish weather phrase with its English translation.
Weather Matching
Basic weather vocabulary comparison.
Fill in the missing word in this conversation.
A: ¿Por qué no quieres salir? B: Porque ________ y no tengo abrigo.
The present tense 'nieva' explains the current reason for not going out.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Nieva vs. Llueve
Weather Verbs
Snow
- • Nieva
- • Nevó
- • Nevará
Rain
- • Llueve
- • Llovió
- • Lloverá
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEn las montañas de los Andes, ________ mucho en invierno.
The verb 'nevar' has a stem change (e -> ie) and is impersonal (3rd person singular).
Select the correct way to say 'It is snowing'.
Weather verbs in Spanish are impersonal and don't take a subject.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Basic weather vocabulary comparison.
A: ¿Por qué no quieres salir? B: Porque ________ y no tengo abrigo.
The present tense 'nieva' explains the current reason for not going out.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsTechnically, in a poetic or fictional context, you could, but in 99.9% of real life, it is strictly impersonal.
'Nieva' is general or habitual, while 'está nevando' emphasizes that it is happening right this second.
You use the past tense: 'nevó'. Note that the stem change 'ie' disappears in the past.
The word is understood everywhere, but in countries like Panama or Puerto Rico, it's almost never used in daily life.
The verb itself usually doesn't, but the noun 'nieve' is common slang for cocaine.
You say 'empieza a nevar'.
In Spanish, it is 'nieva'. 'Neva' is the form used in Portuguese.
No, for hail you must use 'graniza' (from 'granizar').
There isn't a direct opposite verb, but 'hace sol' (it's sunny) is the most common contrast.
It is neutral. It's fine for both a weather report and a chat with a friend.
Related Phrases
está nevando
similarit is snowing (right now)
cae nieve
synonymsnow is falling
hace un frío que pela
builds onit's freezing cold
copo de nieve
specialized formsnowflake
nevada
specialized formsnowfall/snowstorm
