Spanish Conversation · Level 114
59 words
Spanish word
helar
Pronunciation
IPA/eˈlaɾ/
Meaning
- verbfreeze
Example
Anoche el agua se heló.
Last night the water froze.
More examples
El susto me heló la sangre.
The scare made my blood run cold.
Core concept
Frost forming on a car windshield.
Common phrases
helar el agua
freeze the water
se heló la sangre
blood run cold
helar los alimentos
freeze the food
Similar words
congelar: Food or liquids are frozen deliberately or in a freezer to become solid for storage.
congelarse: A body part or liquid becomes ice on its own from exposure to cold.
enfriar: Air or items lose heat and become noticeably cooler without becoming frozen.
derretir: A solid becomes liquid under heat.
Definition in Spanish
Hacer que algo pase al estado sólido por frío o indicar que algo se convierte en hielo; también, producir una sensación de escalofrío o pavor.
Word origin
Derived from Latin gelare 'to freeze' via gelu 'ice', helar originally denotes turning into ice and by extension describes a sudden chilling or a fright.
Usage tips
- Helar frequently appears in impersonal or reflexive constructions (hiela, se heló) to report things freezing in weather, while congelar is the more common verb for freezing food or using a freezer.