la toalla
La toalla is a towel, used to dry your body, hair, or hands. On rainy days, it is the quick way to get dry after getting soaked.
Common Phrases
- secarse con la toalla — to dry off with the towel
- una toalla seca — a dry towel
Example
Necesito una toalla seca para secarme.
I need a dry towel to dry off.
Common Mistake
Mixing it up with clothing: use la toalla for a towel, not la toalla to mean a jacket.
el trueno
El trueno is thunder, the loud sound you hear during a storm. It is the sound, not the lightning you see.
Common Phrases
- oír un trueno — to hear thunder
- un trueno fuerte — a loud thunderclap
Example
Oigo un trueno muy cerca.
I hear thunder very close by.
Common Mistake
Confusing sound vs. light: el trueno is thunder, while el relámpago is lightning; avoid el trueno for the flash.
el viento
El viento is the wind, moving air that can feel cold, wet, or strong. In rain, wind often makes you feel wetter fast.
Common Phrases
- hacer viento — to be windy
- el viento fuerte — strong wind
Example
Hoy hace viento y hace frío.
Today it is windy and it is cold.
Common Mistake
Using the wrong article: it is el viento, not la viento.
la chaqueta
La chaqueta is a jacket, usually lighter than a coat. It is the go-to word for a practical layer when weather changes.
Common Phrases
- ponerse la chaqueta — to put on the jacket
- una chaqueta ligera — a light jacket
Example
Me pongo la chaqueta cuando refresca.
I put on my jacket when it gets cooler.
Common Mistake
Using a false friend: la chaqueta is a jacket; avoid la jacket in Spanish.
el refugio
El refugio is shelter, a safe or protected place from weather. It can be temporary, like standing under a roof to avoid heavy rain.
Common Phrases
- buscar refugio — to look for shelter
- encontrar refugio — to find shelter
Example
Buscamos refugio bajo un techo.
We look for shelter under a roof.
Common Mistake
Overusing a literal translation: prefer buscar refugio over buscar un shelter.
la lluvia
La lluvia is the rain itself. It can refer to rain in general or a specific rainy moment.
Common Phrases
- la lluvia fuerte — heavy rain
- la lluvia sigue — the rain continues
Example
La lluvia sigue toda la tarde.
The rain continues all afternoon.
Common Mistake
Confusing weather nouns: la lluvia is rain; avoid using el agua when you mean the weather event.
el charco
El charco is a puddle, a small pool of water on the ground after rain. It is a classic rainy-sidewalk hazard.
Common Phrases
- pisar un charco — to step in a puddle
- evitar el charco — to avoid the puddle
Example
Evito el charco para no mojarme.
I avoid the puddle so I do not get wet.
Common Mistake
Gender slip: it is el charco, not la charco.
la gota
La gota is a drop, a small bit of liquid. In rain, it is the single drop you feel on your skin or clothes.
Common Phrases
- una gota de agua — a drop of water
- caer una gota — for a drop to fall
Example
Una gota fría me cae en el cuello.
A cold drop falls on my neck.
Common Mistake
Using the wrong verb pattern: say me cae una gota, not cae una gota a mí.