Why "Hace frío," but "Hace _un_ frío horrible?"

Regina B.A2Kwiziq community member

Why "Hace frío," but "Hace _un_ frío horrible?"

Why is there an article in front of frío in the second instance?

Asked 5 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hola Regina

In the second sentence "Hace un frío horrible" we are using the article because it is also a type of structure we use to describe the weather. However we say "Hace/hay + un/una .... +adjective" when we talk about something a bit "extreme", for example:

"Hay una tormenta muy grande en el norte" (There is a big storm in the north)

"Hace un calor terrible en Sevilla" (It is terribly hot in Seville)

The more simple structure with Hay/Hace + noun is less emphatic with less detail.

I hope this clarifies it.

Un saludo

Inma

Why "Hace frío," but "Hace _un_ frío horrible?"

Why is there an article in front of frío in the second instance?

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