Talking about the weather is a daily habit in Galicia.

The local geography creates rapid changes in climate, making nature a huge part of Galician culture.

You’ll quickly notice that the Galician language has dozens of specific words just to describe rain.

This guide will give you the essential vocabulary you need to discuss the weather, the seasons, and the natural world in Galician.

You can start practicing all of these vocabulary terms today using our platform at Talk In Galician.

Weather conditions

Galicia is famous for its rainy climate.

Because of this, Galicians have an incredibly rich vocabulary for different types of precipitation.

You’ll often hear words like orballo for a light, misty rain, or bátega for a sudden, heavy downpour.

Here are the most common weather terms you need to know.

The four seasons

The seasons dictate the rhythm of life in rural Galicia.

Knowing the names of the seasons is essential for talking about travel plans or local festivals.

Notice that all four seasons in Galician use masculine articles, except for spring which is feminine.

Natural landscapes

Galicia features a stunning mix of lush green forests, deep river valleys, and dramatic coastlines.

The region is especially famous for its rías, which are unique coastal inlets where the sea meets a river.

Learning these nature words will help you navigate and describe the beautiful Galician countryside.

These terms are also very helpful if you ever plan on hiking the Camino de Santiago.

Everyday weather phrases

Using weather vocabulary in full sentences is the next step in your language learning journey.

Galician uses the verb facer (to do/make) to describe conditions like sun, wind, and cold.

For precipitation like rain or snow, verbs like chover (to rain) and nevar (to snow) stand alone.

Here are some common ways to talk about the weather in everyday conversations.