Wrong to call a Refrigerator una hielera?

Question

A lot of Hispanics from Texas to California call a refrigerator una hielera, are they wrong?

Answer 1

I think it's the same as we old timers that still call a refrigerator an "ice box". That term was in wide use when I grew up in Texas and the South. Of course, that goes back to the days when you actually put a block of ice in the device to keep things cool.

You just brought back memories of my grandmother saying that. :) - Nicole-B, Jun 25, 2010

What a great pic! - margaretbl, Jun 25, 2010

Answer 2

It's acceptable, but technically it means Freezer or Ice chest

Answer 3

In Spain yes, in Spain that is a place you make ice

A fridge: frigorífico, nevera

Yes, I use nevera it rolls of the tongue easily - FELIZ77, Jun 25, 2010

Answer 4

No, it is common in many spanish speaking countries to use "hielera" instead of refrigerador, o réfri

Answer 5

hielera is more of a freezer/cooler

Answer 6

Actually, in Mexico an "hielera" is a cooler. A "refri" ("refrigerador") is used for refigerator.

But - are they wrong? No, not in Texas to California!

Answer 7

Well, this is what the dictionary gives:

hielera
= cooler

Hielera feminine noun 1. cool box, cooler (CSur, Mexican Spanish)