Those who have only just started learning Italian – and, let’s be honest, those who have been studying it for donkey’s years as well – may find it tricky to know which verb to use when talking about il freddo (the cold). This is because, in English, we use the verb to be regardless of whether are talking about cold bodies, icy personalities or chilly weather.
Not so in Italian! In fact, the language of love has three possible verbs you can use: avere (to have), fare (to do / make) and essere (to be). Let’s discover when and how to use them now!
Important: All the rules that apply to freddo (cold) also apply to caldo (hot).
1. Ho freddo = I am cold
Ho freddo
I am cold
Ho freddo is the default expression you want to use when your physical body feels chilly. Perhaps you didn’t dress warmly enough on a windy day, or maybe your heater decided to conk out on the very day temperatures dropped below freezing. Whatever the reason, you need to use the verb avere (to have), not essere (to be), to describe this sensation.
So, why are we using avere here? The reason is simple: freddo, in this case, is a noun, not an adjective. You can think of the literal translation being something along the lines of “I have coldness.”
This also means that there is no need to change the ending of freddo to match the gender and/or number of the person being described. In other words, it remains freddo regardless of whether you are describing a man, woman, or multiple people.
Here is the full conjugation of avere in the present tense, paired with freddo:
- Ho freddo = I am cold
- Hai freddo = You are cold
- Ha freddo = He / She is cold
- Abbiamo freddo = We are cold
- Avete freddo = You are (all) cold
- Hanno freddo = They are cold
Ho così freddo. Mi passi la coperta?
I’m so cold. Can you pass me the blanket?
Another verb you will see used to express the same meaning is sentire (to feel).
- Sento freddo = I feel cold
- Senti freddo = You feel cold
- Sente freddo = He / She feel cold
- Sentiamo freddo = We feel cold
- Sentite freddo = You (all) feel cold
- Sentono freddo = They feel cold
Sento più freddo oggi rispetto a ieri.
I feel colder today than yesterday.
2. Sono freddo = I am cold
Once you’ve drilled it into your head that avere is the go-to verb when talking about physical coldness, you may be somewhat dismayed to learn that there are two very specific circumstances where you can use essere (to be) instead!
Like the English word cold, the adjective freddo can be used to describe a person who is detached, indifferent, or aloof. In this case, essere freddo is entirely acceptable. Just remember that the ending of freddo must change to reflect gender and plurality.
- Sono freddo/a = I am cold
- Sei freddo/a = You are cold
- È freddo = He is cold
- È fredda = She is cold
- Siamo freddi/e = We are cold
- Siete freddi/e = You are (all) cold
- Sono freddi/e = They are cold
Pina è una persona fredda, incapace di mostrare affetto.
Pina is a cold person, incapable of showing affection.
What’s more, you can use essere when you physically touch a person’s skin (or any other object, for that matter) and it is cold to the touch.
Come sei freddo, amore mio. Dammi quelle manine che te le riscaldo.
You’re so cold, my love. Give me those little hands so I can warm them up for you.
In the example above, where a father is presumably talking to his child, it would be incorrect to say Come hai freddo, amore mio because the father cannot actually perceive how the child is feeling. He can only touch his skin and imagine how he is feeling.
3. Fa freddo = It is cold
Our third option is fa freddo, used exclusively when describing the state of the weather or the temperture outside.
It uses the verb fare (to do / to make), so the literal translation is something along the lines of it makes cold.
Mettiti la giacca, oggi fa freddo!
Put on your jacket, it’s cold today!
If you’ve been learning Italian for a while, you’ve probably already encountered the amusing idiomatic expression Fa un freddo cane! – this is how Italians say It is freezing cold! but literally they are saying It makes a cold dog!
Mamma mia, fa un freddo cane fuori. Devo proprio uscire?
Oh my goodness, it’s freezing out there. Do I really have to go out?
Interested in learning even more expressions related to the cold? Then check out our complete article!
Heather Broster is a graduate with honours in linguistics from the University of Western Ontario. She is an aspiring polyglot, proficient in English and Italian, as well as Japanese, Welsh, and French to varying degrees of fluency. Originally from Toronto, Heather has resided in various countries, notably Italy for a period of six years. Her primary focus lies in the fields of language acquisition, education, and bilingual instruction.
