Las nubes blancas

Practice reading

5 free word translations

Tap any word to see its translation

. . , , . . . . . . . , .
, . . . . . , . . . , . , . . .
. . , . . . . . . . , .
. . , . , . . , .

Keep reading with translations

Create a free account: 7 days of Pro, then 20 word translations a day or a paid plan.

Create a free account I already have an account

About this article

Level A1 Reading focus

What you'll learn

Present-tense Spanish for the sky and for wanting: querer, parecer, estar, and nube, gota, sol, and sombra.

Lara thinks the bright clouds are cotton and puts a foot on a chair. A thicker cloud looks grey underneath, lets through less light, and moves on without raining on the patio.

After reading

Article learning block

Phrases, words, grammar, and quick practice from this text.

16 items

Phrases for training

Add useful phrases to SRS or mark them as already known.

Parecen algodón

new

Parecen algodón

Parecer means "to seem/look like". Use it to compare things in Spanish.

Essential phrase for making comparisons in Spanish.

Viene la lluvia

new

Viene la lluvia

Venir is used for weather events approaching. "Viene la lluvia" = rain is coming.

Standard phrase for weather forecasting.

A veces las nubes tapan el sol

new

A veces las nubes tapan el sol

"A veces" means "sometimes". Tapar means to cover or block. "Tapar el sol" is a common phrase.

The adverb "a veces" is useful for everyday conversation.

El sol siempre está detrás

new

El sol siempre está detrás

"Siempre" means "always". Estar detrás means "to be behind". This phrase shows contrast and persistence.

Useful for expressing certainty and continuity.

Pronto brilla otra vez

new

Pronto brilla otra vez

"Pronto" means "soon". "Otra vez" means "again". Brillar means to shine or glow.

Good for describing repetition and near-future events.

Todas están hechas de agua

new

Todas están hechas de agua

"Están hechas de" means "are made of". This is a passive construction with estar + past participle.

Essential structure for describing materials and composition.

Key words

Vocabulary that carries the school-day topic.

soft

suaves

Suaves describes texture — soft, smooth, gentle. Clouds look soft like cotton.

Useful adjective for describing textures.

float

flotan

Flotar means "to float". It describes how clouds move gently in the air.

Good verb for describing movement in air or water.

shapes

formen

Formas means "shapes" or "forms". Clouds have different shapes — some look like animals, some like ships.

Useful noun for describing appearance.

imagine

imaginan

Imaginar means "to imagine". Children use their imagination when looking at clouds.

Good verb for creative or mental activities.

shadow

sombra

Sombra means "shadow". When clouds cover the sun, they create shade or shadow on the street.

Useful noun for describing natural phenomena.

made of

hechas de

"Hechas de" means "made of". Structure: estar + hecho/a + de. Ej: "Están hechas de agua."

Essential structure for describing composition.

Grammar in context

Patterns from the text worth noticing after reading.

Ser for description

Son blancas y suaves.

Ser for description

SER is used for inherent qualities: color (white), texture (soft). These are permanent descriptions.

Essential A1 grammar: ser vs estar distinction.

Estar for location

Las nubes están en el cielo.

Estar for location

ESTAR is used for location: "in the sky" (en el cielo). Compare: "Son blancas" (description) vs "están en el cielo" (location).

Key A1 distinction: ser for permanent traits, estar for location and states.

Adverb of intensity

Flotan muy alto.

Adverb of intensity

"Muy" (very) is an intensity adverb. "Muy alto" = very high. Muy intensifies adjectives or adverbs.

Muy is a fundamental A1 adverb.

Hay for existence

Hay nubes muy altas y nubes bajas.