ardiente
“ardiente” means “burning” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
burning, scorching
Also: fiery, hot
📝 In Action
El sol del desierto era tan ardiente que tuvimos que buscar sombra.
B1The desert sun was so scorching that we had to look for shade.
Las brasas ardientes todavía estaban rojas.
A2The burning embers were still red.
passionate, fervent
Also: intense, zealous
📝 In Action
Mostró un deseo ardiente de ganar la competencia.
B2He showed a passionate desire to win the competition.
Ella es una defensora ardiente de los derechos humanos.
C1She is a fervent/passionate defender of human rights.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "ardiente" in Spanish:
burning→fervent→fiery→hot→intense→passionate→scorching→zealous→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: ardiente
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'ardiente' to describe an emotion rather than a temperature?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
'Ardiente' comes directly from the Latin verb *ardēre*, which means 'to burn' or 'to be on fire.' This origin perfectly explains both the physical meaning (scorching hot) and the figurative meaning (burning with passion).
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'caliente' and 'ardiente'?
'Caliente' is the general word for 'hot' or 'warm' (like a cup of tea). 'Ardiente' means 'burning' or 'scorching.' It describes a much higher, more intense degree of heat, which is why it is also used for intense emotions like passion.
Does 'ardiente' change form depending on the gender of the noun?
No. 'Ardiente' is an adjective that ends in '-e', meaning it is used for both masculine and feminine nouns without changing (e.g., 'sol ardiente' and 'pasión ardiente'). You only add an 's' for plural: 'ardientes'.