Frigorífico vs. nevera vs. refrigerador vs. heladera
The Spanish language has various words to refer to the same object - a 'fridge' or 'refrigerator'. These words include 'frigorífico', 'nevera', 'refrigerador', and 'heladera'. However, their usage largely depends on the region or country.
Frigorífico
In Spain and some South American countries, it is commonly used to refer to a refrigerator. However, in other contexts, it can also mean a cold storage facility or even a slaughterhouse.
Guarda la leche en el frigorífico.
(Put the milk in the fridge.)
El frigorífico está lleno de carne.
(The refrigerator is full of meat.)
El pueblo tiene un gran frigorífico que proporciona muchos empleos.
(The town has a large cold storage facility that provides many jobs.)
Nevera
'Nevera' is another term for 'refrigerator' commonly used in Spain and some Latin American countries. Sometimes it might also refer to a cooler or portable ice box.
La nevera está llena de bebidas frescas.
(The fridge is full of fresh drinks.)
¿Puedes poner el vino en la nevera?
(Can you put the wine in the fridge?)
Vamos a llevar la nevera a la playa para tener bebidas frescas todo el día.
(We are going to take the cooler to the beach to have fresh drinks all day.)
Refrigerador
'Refrigerador' is generally used in most parts of Latin America (including Mexico) to refer to a refrigerator. It derives from the English word 'refrigerator'.
El refrigerador dejó de enfriar.
(The refrigerator stopped cooling.)
Por favor, coloca los platos en el refrigerador después de comer.
(Please put the dishes in the fridge after eating.)
Heladera
'Heladera' is typically used in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay to mean 'refrigerator'. In other Spanish-speaking areas, it refers more specifically to an ice cream maker.
La heladera está vacía, necesitamos ir al supermercado.
(The refrigerator is empty, we need to go to the supermarket.)
Compré una heladera para hacer helado casero.
(I bought an ice cream maker to make homemade ice cream.)
Summary
'Frigorífico', 'nevera', 'refrigerador', and 'heladera' are different terms used in various regions of Spanish-speaking countries to refer to what in English would be termed as a refrigerator. Though they ultimately mean the same thing, regional usage can influence which term is more likely to be utilized.