helar
Lemma Details
Translation: to freeze; to chill; to congeal; to numb; to paralyze with fear
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: Helar comes from Latin 'gelare' meaning 'to freeze', which is related to the Latin 'gelus' (frost, ice). This same Latin root gave English words like 'gelatin', 'congeal', 'gel', and 'jelly'. The connection between 'helar' and these English words helps illustrate how the Spanish 'h' often corresponds to 'g' in English cognates due to sound changes that occurred as Latin evolved into Romance languages.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 40%
Register: neutral
Mnemonics
- Think of 'helar' as related to 'jelly' - both involve something becoming solid or stiff from cold.
- The 'hel' in 'helar' sounds like 'hell', which ironically is associated with heat, but can help remember that this verb deals with extreme temperature (just the cold version).
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, especially those with cold climates, 'helar' is commonly used to describe weather conditions. The expression 'helarse de frío' (to freeze from cold) is very common in everyday speech. In metaphorical contexts, it's often used to describe emotional states of shock or fear.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'helar' means 'to freeze', 'helear' is a much less common verb that means 'to apply bile' or in some contexts 'to make bitter'.
Confused word:
El cocinero heleó la salsa para darle un sabor amargo.
The cook made the sauce bitter.
Notes: 'Helear' is derived from 'hiel' (bile) while 'helar' comes from Latin 'gelare' (to freeze).
Mnemonic: 'Helar' has one 'e' and relates to ice; 'helear' has two 'e's and relates to bile (hiel).
Explanation: 'Helar' means 'to freeze' while 'halar' means 'to pull' or 'to haul'. They differ by just one vowel but have completely different meanings.
Confused word:
El marinero haló la cuerda para subir la vela.
The sailor pulled the rope to raise the sail.
Notes: Both are regular -ar verbs but belong to completely different semantic fields.
Mnemonic: 'Helar' has an 'e' like in 'freeze', while 'halar' has an 'a' like in 'haul'.