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A2 verb #7,000 most common 11 min read

nevar

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips nevar in 30 Seconds

Explanation nevar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should focus on the most basic form of the verb: 'nieva' (it snows). You will primarily use this to describe the weather in simple sentences. At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex conjugations. Just remember that 'nieva' is used for the present tense and 'va a nevar' (it is going to snow) is used for the near future. You might use it when talking about your favorite season or describing a picture of a winter scene. It is important to recognize that in Spanish, we do not use a word for 'it' like we do in English. You just say 'Nieva' to mean 'It is snowing.' You should also learn the noun 'la nieve' (the snow) and the adjective 'blanco' (white) to help you describe the scene. For example, 'En invierno nieva y todo es blanco.' This simple structure is enough for basic communication about climate and weather preferences.

At the A2 level, you begin to expand your use of 'nevar' into the past and future tenses. You should learn the preterite form 'nevó' (it snowed) and the imperfect form 'nevaba' (it was snowing). These are essential for telling stories or reporting on past trips. For example, 'El año pasado nevó mucho en mi ciudad.' You should also become comfortable with the stem-change in the present tense (e to ie), ensuring you say 'nieva' and not 'neva.' At this level, you can also use 'nevar' with frequency adverbs like 'a veces' (sometimes), 'nunca' (never), or 'siempre' (always). You might also start using the present continuous form 'está nevando' to describe what is happening right at this moment. This level is about building the foundation for describing weather events in a chronological sequence and expressing basic opinions about them.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'nevar' in more complex grammatical structures, including the present subjunctive and the conditional. The subjunctive form 'nieva' is used after expressions of doubt, emotion, or desire. For example, 'No creo que nieva hoy' (I don't think it will snow today) or 'Espero que nieva pronto' (I hope it snows soon). You should also be able to use the conditional 'nevaría' for hypothetical situations: 'Si hiciera más frío, nevaría.' At this stage, you should also be familiar with related vocabulary like 'la tormenta de nieve' (snowstorm) and 'los copos de nieve' (snowflakes). You can describe the intensity of the snowfall using adverbs like 'fuertemente' or 'ligeramente.' Your ability to use 'nevar' in different moods allows you to express uncertainty and hypothetical scenarios, which is a hallmark of the B1 level.

At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of 'nevar' and be able to use it in more sophisticated contexts. This includes using the past subjunctive ('nevara' or 'nevase') in 'if' clauses: 'Si nevara mañana, no iríamos a trabajar.' You should also be comfortable with idiomatic expressions related to snow and weather. At this level, you can discuss the environmental impacts of snowfall, such as 'el deshielo' (the thaw) or 'las avalanchas.' You can also use 'nevar' metaphorically in literature or formal writing. Your vocabulary should include more specific terms like 'ventiscar' or 'aguanieve.' You should be able to follow detailed weather reports and understand the implications of snowfall on travel and infrastructure. The focus at B2 is on fluency, accuracy in complex tenses, and the ability to discuss the broader context of meteorological events.

At the C1 level, your use of 'nevar' should be completely natural and integrated into a wide range of registers. You should be able to use it in academic, professional, and literary contexts. You can appreciate the stylistic choices an author makes when using 'nevar' impersonally versus personifying it. You should be familiar with rare or regional terms related to snow across the Spanish-speaking world. In discussions about climate change or geography, you can use 'nevar' to describe long-term trends and patterns. You can also use the verb in complex compound sentences with perfect tenses, such as 'Para cuando llegamos, ya había nevado tres pulgadas.' Your understanding of the verb includes its subtle connotations and its place within the larger system of Spanish weather expressions. At this level, you are not just using the word; you are manipulating it to convey precise shades of meaning.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like mastery of 'nevar' and all its possible applications. You can use it with absolute precision in any context, from a scientific paper on glaciology to a complex piece of creative writing. You understand the historical etymology of the word from the Latin 'nivare' and how it relates to other Romance languages. You can effortlessly switch between different regional dialects' ways of talking about snow. You are also capable of using 'nevar' in highly abstract or philosophical ways. Your command of the subjunctive and all other moods is flawless, allowing you to express the most subtle nuances of possibility, necessity, and emotion. For a C2 learner, 'nevar' is a versatile tool in a vast linguistic toolkit, used with an awareness of its full historical and cultural weight.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

nevar in 30 Seconds

Nevar is the Spanish verb for 'to snow,' primarily used in the third-person singular form 'nieva' to describe weather conditions.
It is a stem-changing verb where the 'e' becomes 'ie' in the present tense (nieva, nieva, nieva).
As an impersonal verb, it doesn't have a subject like 'I' or 'you' in its standard meteorological usage.
It is essential for talking about winter, mountains, and climate across the Spanish-speaking world, particularly in high-altitude regions.

The Spanish verb nevar is a fundamental meteorological term that translates directly to the English verb 'to snow.' In the grand tapestry of the Spanish language, weather verbs occupy a unique grammatical niche because they are primarily 'impersonal' or 'defective.' This means that under normal circumstances, you will only encounter nevar conjugated in the third-person singular form. We do not say 'yo nievo' (I snow) or 'nosotros nevamos' (we snow) unless we are speaking in highly figurative, poetic, or surrealist contexts. Instead, the weather itself is the implicit subject, much like the 'it' in the English sentence 'It is snowing.'

Atmospheric Condition: The primary use of nevar is to describe the physical process of frozen precipitation falling from the clouds. It implies a temperature at or below freezing and the presence of moisture in the atmosphere.

En el invierno, suele nevar mucho en los Pirineos.

Understanding the stem-change is crucial for learners. Nevar is an e-to-ie stem-changing verb. When the stress falls on the root in the present tense, the 'e' becomes 'ie,' resulting in nieva. This change is consistent across the present indicative and the present subjunctive. However, in the preterite tense (nevó) or the future tense (nevará), the stem remains 'nev-' because the stress moves to the ending.

Regional Frequency: While Spanish is spoken in many tropical regions where it never snows at sea level, the word remains essential for discussing mountain ranges like the Andes, the Sierra Nevada in Spain, or travel to colder climates.

Es posible que nieva esta noche según el pronóstico.

Culturally, the act of nevar carries different connotations depending on the geography. In Spain, heavy snowfall in Madrid is a rare, headline-grabbing event (like the Filomena storm), whereas in cities like Ushuaia, Argentina, or in the high altitudes of Bolivia, nevar is a routine part of the seasonal cycle. The word evokes a sense of silence, transformation, and sometimes, logistical chaos.

Me encanta ver nevar desde la ventana con un chocolate caliente.

Metaphorical Use: In literature, 'nevar' can describe white hair appearing on a person's head (the years 'snowing' on their hair) or a sense of coldness in a relationship.

Los años empezaron a nevar sobre su cabeza, volviendo su cabello blanco.

In summary, nevar is more than just a weather report; it is a verb that demands a specific grammatical structure and carries with it the weight of winter's beauty and its challenges. Whether you are planning a ski trip or reading a novel by Gabriel García Márquez, understanding how to correctly use nevar in its third-person forms will significantly improve your Spanish fluency and naturalness.

Using nevar correctly requires a shift in how we think about subjects. In English, we say 'It is snowing,' where 'it' serves as a dummy subject. In Spanish, the verb nieva stands alone. There is no equivalent to the 'it'—the verb itself carries the entire meaning of the atmospheric action. This makes it a 'verbo unipersonal.' Let's look at how this manifests across different tenses and moods to ensure you can talk about the weather in the past, present, and future.

Present Tense (Indicative): The most common form is 'nieva.' Note the 'e' to 'ie' change. Use this to describe current weather or general climate facts.

Mira por la ventana, nieva con mucha fuerza hoy.

When we talk about the past, we use the preterite (nevó) for specific events or the imperfect (nevaba) for descriptions and ongoing past actions. If you want to say 'It snowed yesterday,' you use the preterite because it's a completed action in a specific timeframe. If you want to say 'It was snowing when I woke up,' you use the imperfect to set the scene.

Past Tenses: Nevó (Preterite): Specific event. Nevaba (Imperfect): Background description. Ha nevado (Present Perfect): Recent event.

Anoche nevó tanto que no pudimos salir de casa.

The future and conditional are also straightforward. Nevará means 'it will snow,' and nevaría means 'it would snow.' These are essential for weather forecasts and hypothetical situations. For example, 'Si hiciera más frío, nevaría' (If it were colder, it would snow).

The Subjunctive Mood: Use 'nieva' (present subjunctive) when expressing doubt, desire, or after certain conjunctions like 'cuando' (referring to the future).

No creo que nieva este fin de semana, hace demasiado calor.

Compound structures like 'está nevando' (it is snowing right now) are very common. Here, nevar becomes the gerund nevando. You can also use it with 'empezar a' (to start to) or 'parar de' (to stop). For example, 'Empezó a nevar a las cinco' (It started to snow at five).

Está nevando a cántaros (It's snowing heavily/buckets).

Lastly, consider the passive or impersonal 'se' with nevar in very specific descriptive contexts, though it is rare. Most often, you will stick to the third-person singular. Whether you are writing a weather report or a poem, keeping the conjugation consistent with the 'it' perspective is the key to grammatical accuracy.

The word nevar is ubiquitous in certain environments and virtually absent in others. If you are in a Spanish-speaking region with high altitudes or temperate seasons, you will hear it constantly during the winter months. The most formal setting is the daily weather forecast, known as 'el pronóstico del tiempo.' News anchors will use precise terms like 'se prevé que nieve' (it is predicted to snow) or 'ha nevado en cotas bajas' (it has snowed at low altitudes).

The Weather Forecast: Meteorologists use 'nevar' to describe upcoming storms, often specifying the intensity and the 'cota de nieve' (snow level).

Mañana va a nevar por encima de los mil metros.

In casual conversation, nevar is the center of small talk when the first flakes of the season appear. People will exclaim, '¡Mira, está nevando!' with excitement or 'Parece que va a nevar' with a hint of concern about their commute. In mountain resorts (estaciones de esquí) in places like Sierra Nevada (Spain), Bariloche (Argentina), or Portillo (Chile), the word is part of the daily jargon of skiers and snowboarders checking the 'nieve fresca' (fresh snow).

Mountain Contexts: In regions like the Andes or the Pyrenees, discussions about whether it will snow are vital for travel safety and tourism.

Si sigue nevando así, las pistas de esquí abrirán pronto.

Literature and music also frequently employ nevar. It is a powerful image for silence, purity, or isolation. You might find it in the lyrics of a Christmas carol (villancico) or in a melancholic poem describing a winter landscape. In these contexts, authors might play with the verb's impersonal nature to create a sense of an all-encompassing natural force.

Travel and Logistics: Airlines and bus companies use 'nevar' in announcements regarding delays. 'Debido a que está nevando, el vuelo se ha retrasado.'

Cuando nieva, el tráfico en la ciudad se vuelve un caos.

Finally, in the digital age, you'll see nevar on weather apps. Icons of snowflakes are usually accompanied by text like 'Probabilidad de nevar' (Probability of snowing) or 'Nevando ahora' (Snowing now). Whether you are listening to the radio in Bogotá or checking your phone in Barcelona, nevar is the key verb for winter's most iconic weather event.

Learning to use nevar correctly involves avoiding several pitfalls that are common for English speakers. The most frequent error is treating it like a personal verb. In English, we are used to verbs having a subject. In Spanish, however, weather verbs like nevar, llover (to rain), and tronar (to thunder) are 'unipersonal.' This means they are only conjugated in the third-person singular. Avoid saying 'Yo nievo' or 'Ellos nievan' unless you are personifying the snow in a poem.

Mistake: Subject Addition: Don't use 'Ello' or 'Lo' as a subject. Phrases like 'Ello nieva' are incorrect. The verb 'nieva' stands alone.

Incorrect: Ello nieva mucho aquí. Correct: Nieva mucho aquí.

Another major hurdle is the stem-change. Many students forget that nevar is an e-to-ie verb. They might say 'neva' instead of 'nieva.' Remember: if the stress is on the root (which it is in the present indicative and subjunctive 3rd person singular), you must change the 'e' to 'ie.' However, do not apply this change to the preterite (nevó) or the future (nevará), as the stress moves to the suffix.

Mistake: Conjugation Errors: Confusing 'nieva' (present) with 'nevó' (past) or forgetting the 'ie' in the present tense.

Incorrect: Hoy neva un poco. Correct: Hoy nieva un poco.

The third common mistake is confusing the verb nevar with the noun nieve. You cannot say 'está nieve' to mean 'it is snowing.' You must use the verb: 'está nevando' or 'hay nieve' (there is snow). Similarly, don't confuse nevar with nevarse. While some verbs can be reflexive, nevar is almost never used reflexively.

Mistake: Verb vs. Noun: Using the noun 'nieve' when you need the verb 'nevar' or vice-versa.

Incorrect: Me gusta cuando la nieve (as a verb). Correct: Me gusta cuando nieva.

Lastly, be careful with the gerund. The gerund of nevar is nevando. Some students try to apply the stem-change to the gerund (nievando), but this is incorrect. Stem changes in -ar verbs only happen in the present indicative and subjunctive, never in the gerund or past participle. Keep it as nevando for 'is snowing.'

While nevar is the standard verb for snowing, Spanish offers several other ways to describe frozen precipitation or related weather events. Knowing these alternatives will help you be more precise and sound more like a native speaker. For instance, if the snow is very light, you might use chispear (though usually for rain) or simply say 'caen algunos copos' (some flakes are falling).

Nevar vs. Granizar: Nevar is for soft, frozen flakes. Granizar is for hard ice pellets (hail). They are both impersonal verbs.

No está nevando, sino granizando; las piedras de hielo son grandes.

Another related verb is helar (to freeze). While nevar describes the falling of snow, helar describes the temperature dropping enough for ice to form. Often, it will 'helar' before it 'nieva.' Like nevar, helar is also an e-to-ie stem-changing verb (hiela).

Nevar vs. Helar: Nevar refers to the precipitation; helar refers to the freezing temperature and ice formation.

Esta noche va a helar, así que mañana las calles estarán resbaladizas.

If you want to describe a mixture of rain and snow, you can use aguanieve (sleet), although this is usually a noun. To express the action, you would say 'está cayendo aguanieve.' This is common in transitional weather. Another specific term is ventiscar, which means to snow with strong winds (a blizzard or snowstorm condition).

Nevar vs. Ventiscar: Nevar is the general term; ventiscar implies a storm with blowing snow and wind.

En la cumbre de la montaña está ventiscando, la visibilidad es nula.

In summary, while nevar is your go-to verb, being aware of granizar, helar, and ventiscar allows you to describe the nuances of winter weather with much greater clarity. This variety reflects the diverse climates of the Spanish-speaking world, from the icy peaks of the Andes to the snowy forests of northern Spain.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Se pronostica que nevará en las zonas de alta montaña."

Neutral

"Normalmente nieva en enero."

Informal

"¡Oye, que está nevando!"

Child friendly

"¡Mira cómo nieva! Vamos a hacer un muñeco."

Slang

"Está cayendo la del pulpo (if it's a huge blizzard)."

Fun Fact

The word 'nieve' and 'nevar' are cognates with the English word 'snow,' both descending from an ancient Proto-Indo-European root *sniegwh-.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /neˈβaɾ/

US /neˈβar/

The stress falls on the final syllable 'var' because it ends in 'r' and has no accent mark.

Rhymes With

cantar hablar llegar pensar mar lugar altar azar

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'v' as a strong English 'v' with teeth on lips.
Pronouncing the 'e' like the 'ee' in 'see'.
Putting the stress on the first syllable (NE-var instead of ne-VAR).
Failing to tap the 'r' at the end.
In the conjugated form 'nieva,' failing to pronounce the diphthong 'ie' clearly.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in texts due to its consistent use in 3rd person.

Writing 4/5

Requires remembering the e-ie stem change in the present tense.

Speaking 3/5

Natural delivery requires avoiding the 'it' subject habit.

Listening 2/5

The 'nieva' sound is quite distinct and easy to catch.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

frío tiempo invierno nube blanco

Learn Next

llover granizar helar tronar ventiscar

Advanced

precipitación meteorología isoterma ventisca alud

Grammar to Know

Impersonal Verbs

Nieva, llueve, truena (only used in 3rd person singular).

E-IE Stem Change

Nevar -> Nieva (Present Indicative).

Subjunctive with Emotion/Doubt

Espero que nieve / No creo que nieve.

Future with 'Ir a'

Va a nevar (common way to express future weather).

Gerund formation

Nevando (no stem change in the gerund for -ar verbs).

Examples by Level

Hoy nieva en la montaña.

Today it is snowing in the mountain.

Present tense, impersonal form.

Me gusta cuando nieva.

I like it when it snows.

Use of 'nieva' after 'cuando'.

No nieva en mi ciudad.

It doesn't snow in my city.

Negative sentence with nevar.

Va a nevar mañana.

It is going to snow tomorrow.

Near future construction: ir + a + infinitive.

¡Mira! Nieva mucho.

Look! It's snowing a lot.

Present tense used for immediate action.

En invierno nieva a veces.

In winter it snows sometimes.

Use of frequency adverb 'a veces'.

¿Nieva en España?

Does it snow in Spain?

Question form of an impersonal verb.

Empieza a nevar ahora.

It is starting to snow now.

Empezar a + infinitive.

Ayer nevó todo el día.

Yesterday it snowed all day.

Preterite tense for a completed action.

Cuando era niño, nevaba más.

When I was a child, it used to snow more.

Imperfect tense for habitual past action.

Está nevando en los Pirineos.

It is snowing in the Pyrenees.

Present continuous: estar + gerund.

Ha nevado tres veces este mes.

It has snowed three times this month.

Present perfect: haber + past participle.

Si nieva, jugaremos con la nieve.

If it snows, we will play with the snow.

First conditional: si + present indicative.

Nevó tanto que cerraron la escuela.

It snowed so much that they closed the school.

Preterite tense to indicate a specific event.

Mañana nevará en el norte.

Tomorrow it will snow in the north.

Future indicative.

Dejó de nevar hace una hora.

It stopped snowing an hour ago.

Dejar de + infinitive in the preterite.

Espero que nieva para Navidad.

I hope it snows for Christmas.

Present subjunctive after a verb of hope.

Dudo que nieva en esta región.

I doubt that it snows in this region.

Present subjunctive after a verb of doubt.

Si nevara hoy, no iría al trabajo.

If it snowed today, I wouldn't go to work.

Second conditional: si + past subjunctive + conditional.

Me encanta que nieva en invierno.

I love that it snows in winter.

Present subjunctive after a verb of emotion.

Aunque nieva, saldremos a caminar.

Even if it snows, we will go for a walk.

Subjunctive with 'aunque' for future uncertainty.

Es posible que haya nevado en la cumbre.

It is possible that it has snowed on the summit.

Present perfect subjunctive.

Ojalá nieva este fin de semana.

I wish it would snow this weekend.

Use of 'ojalá' with subjunctive.

No me gusta que nieva cuando conduzco.

I don't like it that it snows when I drive.

Present subjunctive after an expression of dislike.

A pesar de que nevaba, el avión despegó.

Despite it was snowing, the plane took off.

Indicative with 'a pesar de que' for a factual past event.

Si hubiera nevado más, habríamos esquiado.

If it had snowed more, we would have skied.

Third conditional: si + pluperfect subjunctive + conditional perfect.

Se dice que va a nevar fuertemente.

It is said that it is going to snow heavily.

Impersonal 'se' construction.

Sigue nevando a pesar de la subida de temperatura.

It continues to snow despite the rise in temperature.

Continuative aspect with 'seguir + gerund'.

Temían que nevase antes de llegar al refugio.

They feared it might snow before reaching the shelter.

Past subjunctive after a verb of fear in the past.

Había nevado tanto que el paisaje era irreconocible.

It had snowed so much that the landscape was unrecognizable.

Pluperfect indicative for an action prior to another past action.

Por mucho que nieva, no dejaré de salir.

No matter how much it snows, I won't stop going out.

Subjunctive with 'por mucho que' for concession.

Nevando como está, es mejor quedarse en casa.

Snowing as it is, it's better to stay home.

Gerund used as a causal clause.

El hecho de que nieva tan poco es preocupante.

The fact that it snows so little is worrying.

Subjunctive with 'el hecho de que' expressing an opinion/feeling.

Rara vez nieva en esta latitud.

Rarely does it snow at this latitude.

Inverted frequency expression.

Apenas empezó a nevar, el silencio se apoderó del bosque.

As soon as it started to snow, silence took over the forest.

Use of 'apenas' to indicate immediate succession.

A menos que nieva pronto, la temporada de esquí será un fracaso.

Unless it snows soon, the ski season will be a failure.

Subjunctive after 'a menos que'.

Incluso si nevara en el desierto, no me sorprendería.

Even if it snowed in the desert, it wouldn't surprise me.

Concessive conditional with past subjunctive.

Ha de nevar antes de que termine el mes.

It must snow before the month ends.

Haber de + infinitive to express probability or necessity.

Parecía que iba a nevar, pero al final solo llovió.

It seemed like it was going to snow, but in the end it only rained.

Imperfect indicative expressing a past impression.

Que nieva o no nieva me da exactamente igual.

Whether it snows or not is exactly the same to me.

Double subjunctive for indifference.

Cualquier indicio de que pudiera nevar fue recibido con júbilo.

Any sign that it might snow was received with joy.

Past subjunctive expressing remote possibility.

Nevase lo que nevase, nada detendría la expedición.

No matter how much it snowed, nothing would stop the expedition.

Reduplicative subjunctive for extreme concession.

El autor utiliza el verbo nevar como metáfora del olvido.

The author uses the verb 'to snow' as a metaphor for oblivion.

Academic use of the verb in literary analysis.

No es que nieva a menudo, es que cuando lo hace, es torrencial.

It's not that it snows often, it's that when it does, it's torrential.

Contrastive structure with subjunctive (no es que...).

Hubiera nevado o no, el resultado habría sido idéntico.

Whether it had snowed or not, the result would have been identical.

Pluperfect subjunctive in a concessive clause.

Se prevé que nieva intermitentemente durante toda la jornada.

It is predicted to snow intermittently throughout the day.

Formal passive construction with subjunctive.

La posibilidad de que nieva en cotas tan bajas es remota.

The possibility of it snowing at such low altitudes is remote.

Subjunctive in a noun clause expressing possibility.

De haber nevado, habríamos tenido que cancelar la cumbre.

Had it snowed, we would have had to cancel the summit.

Conditional construction using 'de + haber + participle'.

Common Collocations

nevar fuertemente

nevar a ratos

empezar a nevar

parar de nevar

nevar copiosamente

nevar sobre mojado

volver a nevar

nevar ligeramente

ver nevar

nevar en cotas bajas

Common Phrases

Está por nevar

— It is about to snow. Used when the sky looks like snow is imminent.

Abrígate bien, que está por nevar.

Nieva que da gusto

— It's snowing beautifully or heavily. An informal expression of satisfaction or awe.

¡Mira por la ventana! Nieva que da gusto.

No para de nevar

— It doesn't stop snowing. Used during a continuous snowstorm.

Llevamos tres días y no para de nevar.

Va a nevar seguro

— It's definitely going to snow. Expressing certainty about the weather.

Con este frío, va a nevar seguro.

Como si fuera a nevar

— As if it were going to snow. Used to describe a particular cold feeling or gray sky.

El cielo está gris, como si fuera a nevar.

Cuando nieva, hiela

— When it snows, it freezes. A common observation about winter conditions.

Ten cuidado al caminar, porque cuando nieva, hiela.

Nieva a mantas

— It's snowing 'in blankets' (very heavily). A common Spanish idiom.

No podemos conducir, está nevando a mantas.

Si nieva, nieva

— If it snows, it snows. A fatalistic expression meaning we will deal with it if it happens.

No te preocupes por el viaje; si nieva, nieva.

Parece que va a nevar

— It looks like it's going to snow. A very common way to start a conversation about weather.

Huele a frío; parece que va a nevar.

Ha nevado mucho

— It has snowed a lot. Used to describe the accumulation of snow.

Este invierno ha nevado mucho en comparación con el anterior.

Often Confused With

nevar vs nieve

Nieve is the noun (snow), nevar is the verb (to snow).

nevar vs nevarse

Incorrect reflexive form; nevar doesn't take 'se' in standard weather usage.

nevar vs nivel

Looks similar but means 'level'.

Idioms & Expressions

"Nevar sobre mojado"

— Literally 'to snow on wet ground.' Figuratively, it means to add a new problem to an already difficult situation.

Perdí mi trabajo y ahora se rompió el coche; llueve sobre mojado, o mejor dicho, nieva sobre mojado.

informal

"Estar nevado"

— To be covered in snow. While not an idiom per se, it's the standard way to describe a landscape.

El jardín está totalmente nevado.

neutral

"Nieva a cántaros"

— Actually 'llover a cántaros' (raining buckets) is more common, but people sometimes adapt it to snow to mean very heavy snowfall.

No salgas ahora, que nieva a cántaros.

informal

"Año de nieves, año de bienes"

— A year of snow is a year of goods/wealth. A traditional proverb suggesting that heavy snow is good for the crops later on.

No te quejes del frío; recuerda que año de nieves, año de bienes.

traditional/proverb

"Tener nieve en el tejado"

— To have snow on the roof. A metaphor for having white or gray hair due to old age.

Ya tiene mucha nieve en el tejado, pero sigue muy activo.

literary/old-fashioned

"Blanco como la nieve"

— White as snow. A very common simile for something extremely white or pure.

Su vestido era blanco como la nieve.

neutral

"Vivir en la nieve"

— To live in the snow. Often used to describe someone who is out of touch with reality or very isolated.

Parece que vive en la nieve, no se entera de lo que pasa en el mundo.

informal

"Hacerse una bola de nieve"

— To snowball. Used when a small problem grows rapidly into a large one.

El malentendido se hizo una bola de nieve y ahora nadie se habla.

neutral

"Romper el hielo"

— To break the ice. While using 'hielo' (ice) rather than snow, it is part of the same semantic field of winter weather idioms.

Contó un chiste para romper el hielo en la reunión.

neutral

"Quedarse frío"

— To be left cold/stunned. Often used when receiving shocking news, related to the coldness of snow.

Me quedé frío cuando me dieron la noticia.

informal

Easily Confused

nevar vs nevar

English speakers try to use it with 'yo' or 'tú'.

It's impersonal. You only use it in the 3rd person singular.

Incorrect: Yo nievo. Correct: Nieva.

nevar vs llover

Both are weather verbs.

Nevar is for snow; llover is for rain.

No nieva, solo llueve.

nevar vs helar

Both happen in cold weather.

Helar is to freeze; nevar is for falling snow.

Primero heló y luego empezó a nevar.

nevar vs granizar

Both are frozen precipitation.

Granizar is for hard ice (hail); nevar is for soft flakes.

Cuidado, está granizando fuerte.

nevar vs neviscar

Very similar meaning.

Neviscar is specifically for very light snow or sleet.

Casi no se ve, solo está neviscando.

Sentence Patterns

Hoy [nieva].

Hoy nieva.

Ayer [nevó] mucho.

Ayer nevó mucho.

Está [nevando].

Está nevando.

No creo que [nieve].

No creo que nieve.

Si [nevara], yo [iría].

Si nevara, yo iría.

Aunque [nieve], [saldré].

Aunque nieve, saldré.

Lleva tres días [nevando].

Lleva tres días nevando.

[Nevase] lo que [nevase]...

Nevase lo que nevase, llegamos.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in winter/mountain contexts, rare otherwise.

Common Mistakes

Yo nievo → Nieva
Nevar is an impersonal verb. You don't use it with 'I' or other people.
Está nieve → Está nevando / Hay nieve
You can't use the noun 'nieve' with 'está' to describe the action of snowing.
Hoy neva → Hoy nieva
Forgot the e-ie stem change in the present tense.
Ello nieva → Nieva
Don't use 'ello' as a subject for weather verbs; it's redundant and incorrect.
Está nievando → Está nevando
Applied the stem change to the gerund, which is incorrect for -ar verbs.

Tips

Stem Change Alert

Always remember the e-ie change in the present tense: 'nieva'. It's one of the most common mistakes for beginners.

No Subject Needed

Spanish doesn't use 'it' for weather. Just say 'Nieva' and you're done! It's simpler than English once you get used to it.

Verb vs Noun

Keep 'nevar' (verb) and 'nieve' (noun) separate in your mind. You 'see the nieve' but 'it starts to nevar'.

Continuous Form

Use 'está nevando' when you are looking out the window and seeing it happen right now. It sounds very natural.

Soft V

The 'v' in 'nevar' is soft. Don't bite your lower lip like you do for an English 'v'.

Poetic Use

In literature, 'nevar' often represents silence or aging. Keep an eye out for these metaphors in Spanish books.

Subjunctive use

After 'espero que', always use the subjunctive: 'Espero que nieve'. This is a B1 level skill that makes you sound advanced.

Link to Nevada

The US state 'Nevada' means 'snowy'. Associate it with the verb 'nevar' to remember the meaning.

Weather Reports

Listen to Spanish weather forecasts online. They use 'nevar' in many different tenses, which is great practice.

Adverb pairing

Pair 'nevar' with 'copiosamente' or 'fuertemente' to describe a heavy snowstorm like a pro.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'NEVAR' as 'NEVER' without the 'E'. If it 'NEVER' snows in your city, you'll still need to know the word 'NEVAR' for when you travel!

Visual Association

Imagine a giant 'V' (from neVar) being filled with white snowflakes until it looks like a mountain peak.

Word Web

nieve frío invierno blanco montaña esquí hielo nube

Challenge

Try to write three sentences using 'nevar' in the past, present, and future about a place you want to visit.

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin verb 'nivare,' which comes from the noun 'nix, nivis' meaning snow. This Latin root is shared by most Romance languages.

Original meaning: To fall as snow.

Indo-European -> Italic -> Romance -> Spanish.

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be aware that snow can be a source of trauma in areas prone to deadly avalanches or extreme isolation.

English speakers often use 'it' as a subject for weather. In Spanish, remember that 'nevar' is its own subject.

The poem 'El rastro de tu sangre en la nieve' by Gabriel García Márquez. The song 'Blanca Navidad' (White Christmas). Sierra Nevada - a major mountain range in Spain and the USA.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Weather Forecast

Probabilidad de nevar
Cota de nieve
Nevadas intensas
Se espera que nieve

Skiing/Winter Sports

¿Ha nevado hoy?
Nieve recién caída
Condiciones para nevar
Esperando que nieve

Small Talk

Parece que va a nevar
¡Qué lindo cuando nieva!
No me gusta que nieva
¿Nieva mucho por aquí?

Travel Warnings

Peligro por nevar
Carreteras cortadas por nevar
Vuelos cancelados
Uso de cadenas

Literature/Poetry

Vi nevar en sus ojos
La nieve que no cesa
El silencio de nevar
Nevaba en mi alma

Conversation Starters

"¿Has visto alguna vez nevar en la playa?"

"¿Prefieres que nieva o que llueva durante las vacaciones?"

"¿Qué haces normalmente cuando empieza a nevar?"

"¿En qué mes suele nevar más en tu país?"

"¿Te gustaría vivir en un lugar donde nunca deje de nevar?"

Journal Prompts

Describe la primera vez que viste nevar y cómo te sentiste al ver los copos caer.

Escribe sobre un día en el que nevó tanto que no pudiste salir de casa.

¿Cómo cambia tu ciudad o pueblo cuando empieza a nevar? Describe los sonidos y colores.

Imagina un mundo donde nunca vuelve a nevar. ¿Cómo afectaría esto a la naturaleza?

Escribe un poema corto usando el verbo nevar para describir el paso del tiempo.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you cannot. In Spanish, you must use the verb 'está nevando' (it is snowing) or 'hay nieve' (there is snow). 'Nieve' is a noun, not an adjective or a verb form that works with 'estar' in that way.

No, it is an irregular stem-changing verb. The 'e' in the root changes to 'ie' in the present indicative and subjunctive (nieva). However, it is regular in the preterite (nevó) and future (nevará).

You use the preterite form 'nevó' for a specific past event. For example: 'Ayer nevó mucho' (Yesterday it snowed a lot).

No, never use a subject pronoun with weather verbs in Spanish. 'Nieva' already implies 'it snows.' Adding 'ello' or 'él' sounds very unnatural and is grammatically incorrect.

The gerund is 'nevando.' Note that there is no stem change here; it is 'nevando,' not 'nievando.' You use it with the verb 'estar' to say 'it is snowing' (está nevando).

You use the 'ir + a + infinitive' construction: 'Va a nevar.' This is the most common way to talk about the near future.

Only in very poetic or metaphorical contexts. For example, 'Los años nevaron su cabellera' (The years snowed his hair/turned it white). In daily life, it is only for weather.

'Nevar' is the general term for snowing. 'Neviscar' is used specifically for very light snow or a mix of rain and snow (sleet).

In standard Spanish, no. Since it refers to the weather, it is only used in the singular. You would never say 'nievan'.

The past participle is 'nevado.' It is used in compound tenses like the present perfect ('ha nevado') or as an adjective ('el campo nevado').