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"Catarro" is a noun which is often translated as "cold", and "resfriado" is a noun which is also often translated as "cold". Learn more about the difference between "catarro" and "resfriado" below.
el catarro(
kah
-
tah
-
rroh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (illness)
a. cold
Me has contagiado. Ahora yo también estoy con catarro.You got me sick. Now I have a cold, too.
b. catarrh (technical) (nasal congestion)
A word or phrase that is only used by experts, professionals, or academics in a particular field (e.g., exposition).
Mi hermano tiene un catarro, así que tiene que guardar cama.My brother has catarrh, so he has to stay in bed.
el resfriado(
rrehs
-
fryah
-
doh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
2. (illness)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Estoy resfriado y tengo un dolor de cabeza horrible.I have a cold and a terrible headache.
Si estás resfriada, ¡no te me acerques!If you've got a cold, stay away from me!