resfriado
Lemma Details
Translation: cold; head cold; common cold
Part of Speech: noun
Etymology: Derived from the past participle of 'resfriar' (to cool down, to chill), which comes from Latin 're-' (again) + 'ex-' (out) + 'frigidare' (to make cold), from 'frigidus' (cold). The word shares roots with English 'frigid' and 'refrigerate'. The evolution shows how the physical sensation of coldness became associated with the illness.
Commonality: 80%
Guessability: 30%
Register: neutral
Mnemonics
- Think of 'res-FRIAR-do' as 'refrigerated' - when you're cold (refrigerated), you might catch a cold.
- The 'fri' in 'resfriado' sounds like 'freeze' - when you freeze, you might get a cold.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, there are many folk remedies for treating 'resfriados', including herbal teas with honey and lemon, vapor inhalation, and avoiding exposure to cold air or drafts. The concept of 'enfriamiento' (getting chilled) is often considered a direct cause of catching a cold in Hispanic cultures, which differs somewhat from the germ theory emphasized in English-speaking countries.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Resfriado' is the noun (the cold itself) while 'resfriarse' is the reflexive verb meaning 'to catch a cold'.
Notes: The adjective form 'resfriado/a' can also describe a person who has a cold: 'Está resfriado' (He has a cold).
Mnemonic: 'Resfriado' ends in '-ado' like many nouns, while 'resfriarse' ends in '-se' like reflexive verbs.
Explanation: 'Resfriado' refers to a common cold, while 'gripe' refers to influenza or flu, which is typically more severe.
Notes: In some regions, people might use these terms interchangeably in casual speech, but medically they refer to different illnesses.
Mnemonic: Think of 'gripe' as 'griping' about being really sick, while a 'resfriado' is just annoying.