In a world of 7,000 languages, there’s never an excuse to be at a loss for words. Check out these cold weather phrases from around the world that’ll make anyone who owns a parka and snow boots say ‘Yup, I’ve been there.’
1. Soare cu dinţi — A sunny, but cold day (Romanian)
2. Kogarashi — Winter’s first wind (Japanese)
3. Friolero — A person who is sensitive to cold temperatures (Spanish)
4. Apricity — The warmth of sunshine in winter (English)
5. Dreich — Cold, wet, dreary weather (Scots)
The Scottish have a word to describe the cold, wet, dreary weather the country is famous for, and that word is dreich — pronounced ‘dreekh’, with a distinctive Scottish ‘kh’ sound at the end. Old Scots in origin, the word is commonly used to describe weather devoid of any warmth or sunshine, usually soggy, foggy, and cold. Commonly used amongst the Scottish (who have been known for their love of weather chitchat), many lean into the descriptor as a matter of pride, even once voting dreich as their country’s favorite word in a nationwide poll.
6. Il fait un froid de canard — Freezing cold weather (French)
7. Koselig — A cozy, warm feeling (Norwegian)
8. Gluggaveður — Weather that is only nice to look at (Icelandic)
9. Takatalvi — A cold snap (Finnish)
The snow melted long ago, the sun is shining, and you think it’s finally time to bust out your warm-weather wardrobe, then takatalvi (tahkahTAHlevih) strikes — and you sheepishly slip out of your flip-flops just to pull on your snow boots again. Many of us have experienced the sudden recurrence of cold weather in spring or even summer, but the Finnish gave it a name: takatalvi.
Want to learn more words and phrases (perhaps some warmer ones) that are unique to other languages and cultures? Check out one of our 70+ courses packed full of cultural tips, idioms, and country facts to equip you with the confidence you need to start speaking like a local. Or, jump back in where you last left off in your Mango learning.
Know more unique weather words or phrases? Share them with us in the comments!
