un día de invierno
Lemma Details
Translation: a winter day; a winter's day
Part of Speech: phrase
Etymology: This phrase combines 'un' (a/an, from Latin 'unus'), 'día' (day, from Latin 'dies'), 'de' (of, from Latin 'de'), and 'invierno' (winter, from Latin 'hibernum tempus' meaning 'winter time'). The Latin 'hibernum' is related to English words like 'hibernate' and 'hibernation'.
Commonality: 70%
Guessability: 80%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
En un día de invierno, no hay nada mejor que una taza de chocolate caliente.
On a winter day, there's nothing better than a cup of hot chocolate.
Prefiero quedarme en casa durante un día de invierno frío.
I prefer to stay at home during a cold winter day.
Un día de invierno en Madrid puede ser muy frío.
A winter day in Madrid can be very cold.
Mnemonics
- 'Invierno' sounds like 'in-we-earn-oh' - imagine earning money indoors during winter because it's too cold outside.
- Think of 'hibernate' to remember 'invierno' (winter) - animals hibernate in winter.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, winter days vary greatly depending on the region. In Spain and parts of South America with four seasons, 'un día de invierno' might evoke images of cold, possibly snowy weather. In tropical Spanish-speaking regions, winter days might simply be slightly cooler or rainier than usual.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: Both phrases refer to days in specific seasons, but 'un día de invierno' refers to winter while 'un día de otoño' refers to autumn/fall.
Notes: The seasons follow each other: primavera (spring), verano (summer), otoño (autumn/fall), invierno (winter).
Mnemonic: Remember 'invierno' connects to 'hibernate' (winter), while 'otoño' can be remembered by thinking of 'October' which falls in autumn.