Spanish Phrase
¿Hace sol?
Meaning
The question '¿Hace sol?' asks whether the sun is shining, i.e., if the weather is sunny. It is a short, informal way to check the current weather, often used in casual conversation. The literal translation is 'Does it make sun?', but the idiomatic meaning is simply 'Is it sunny?'.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want a quick confirmation about the weather, such as before planning an outdoor activity, while chatting with friends, or when you step outside and want to know if you need sunglasses or a jacket.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Hacesol?
Impersonal verb 'hacer'
In weather expressions, 'hacer' is used impersonally (no subject) to describe conditions, e.g., 'hace frío', 'hace calor'.
Noun 'sol'
'Sol' means 'sun' and functions as the object of the verb 'hacer' in this construction.
Question marks
Spanish uses inverted question marks (¿) at the beginning of a question and a regular one (?) at the end.
🗨In Conversation
¿Hace sol?
Is it sunny?
Sí, hace mucho sol hoy.
Yes, it's very sunny today.
✕Common Mistakes
¿Está hace sol?
Do not combine 'estar' with 'hacer' for weather; '¿Está hace sol?' is ungrammatical.
¿Hace el sol?
The article 'el' is not used before 'sol' in this expression; '¿Hace el sol?' sounds unnatural.
¿Mucho sol hace?
When forming a question, the verb must precede the subject; use '¿Hace mucho sol?' not '¿Mucho sol hace?'
↔Alternatives
¿Está soleado?
Is it sunny?
¿Hay sol?
Is there sun?
¿Qué tiempo hace?
What's the weather like?
Cultural Tip
Talking about the weather is a universal ice‑breaker in Spanish‑speaking countries. In many regions, especially in Spain, people often add a comment about the temperature or humidity after answering, e.g., 'Sí, hace sol, pero hace mucho calor'. In Latin America, you might hear 'Hace sol, pero está fresco' to note a pleasant breeze. Keep the tone light; weather chat is usually informal and friendly.