I dont understand the phrase "Hace calor"

Question

I don't understand the phrase "Hace calor" or "Hace frio" for example. I t doesn't make sense to me. As I know the word "Hace" mean -"to do". Soo, why it's makes sense to say "do heat" or "do cold? Thank you!

Edited your punctuation and spelling, welcome to the forum - pacofinkler, Apr 28, 2011

Isn't it kind of rude to edit someone else's posts?? Anyways, how can you even do that? Is there a certain amount of points you need? - leenearene3, Apr 28, 2011

There is, but I do not consider it rude to edit for the better as long as it is not abused. - llamalovers000, Apr 1, 2014

Answer 1

Hi.

Have a look at this: 1.14 - Weather and the Verb Hacer

And don't translate everything you see. You cannot always catch the literal equality.

Answer 2

It's not really all that odd. In English, we say "it IS cold." In Spanish, we say "it IS MAKING cold." If anything, it makes you wonder, "What is this 'it?'"

Answer 3

You don't understand what "Hace calor" means? Go to Seville, Spain, in July - August, and when you reach 53º C (128º F) and you hear people use it, even if you don't speak any Spanish, you'll understand it... perfectly!! You'll never forget it, actually.

That's what teachers call to learn through context, as oppose to attempt literal translations. It works so much better!!!

Jejejeje - culé, Apr 28, 2011

que listo eres!! - spanish-at-heart, Apr 28, 2011

saying "hace calor" when you have 53º C is inadequate.:) - Deanski, Apr 29, 2011

Answer 4

Using the verb 'hacer' (to make or to do) for weather expressions is an idiom, it completely makes sense to a spanish speaker but it sounds funny to an english speaker.

In english if you say "it makes hot" it doesn't make much sense It's the same sort of thing in spanish, if you say "está calor hoy" it doesn't make much sense when talking about weather.

Likewise, if you want to say that you are cold, you would use 'tener' (to have) instead of 'estar' Tengo calor - I am hot You wouldn't say "I have hot" in english, this doesn't make sense. It also doesn't make much sense to say "estoy calor"

'Tener' is used on quite a few other expressions like this, with words like frío, dolor, hambre, sed, sueño

Answer 5

As I understand it (and I am up for correction) hace is referring to "it", as in the weather.

So it's like saying the weather does heat or cold. In English we'd say "It (the weather) is hot/cold".

Hacer ''makes'' heat ''calor o frio'' cold - pacofinkler, Apr 28, 2011

Check. Thanks. - NickDan, Apr 28, 2011

Answer 6

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hehehe When you post you can put the name of the thing you're linking to so people will use it. :) - Findy, Apr 1, 2014

I enjoy watching Seseme Street in Spanish - Plaza Sésamo! Cute link with the Spanglish. :) Don't forget to fill in your profile, and welcome to SD! - Findy, Apr 1, 2014