calientes
/kah-lee-EN-tes/
hot
Calientes describes things that have a high temperature, like these two hot beverages.
📝 In Action
Las bebidas están calientes, ten cuidado.
A1The drinks are hot, be careful.
Necesito mantas porque mis pies están fríos y quiero que estén calientes.
A2I need blankets because my feet are cold and I want them to be warm.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
As an adjective, 'calientes' must match the noun it describes in number. If you are talking about one hot thing, use 'caliente'. If you are talking about two or more hot things (masculine or feminine), use 'calientes'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ser' vs. 'Estar'
Mistake: "La sopa es caliente."
Correction: La sopa está caliente. (Temperature is usually a temporary state, so use the verb 'estar'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Temperature vs. Personality
Use 'caliente' with 'estar' for temperature. Use 'ser' only if describing a person's passionate personality (e.g., 'son calientes'), though this use is often informal or suggestive.
When describing multiple foods with intense flavor, you can use calientes to mean spicy.
📝 In Action
Estos tacos están calientes, ¡trae leche!
B1These tacos are spicy, bring milk!
Para mí, todos los platos mexicanos son demasiado calientes.
B1For me, all Mexican dishes are too spicy.
💡 Grammar Points
Regional Use
While 'picante' is the standard for 'spicy,' in many Latin American countries, especially Mexico, 'caliente' is also used to mean 'spicy' or 'piquant' when referring to food.
Calientes can describe arguments or debates that are intense or heated.
calientes(adjective)
heated
?argument/debate (plural)
,passionate
?feelings (plural)
arousing
?suggestive content (plural)
📝 In Action
Las discusiones políticas siempre se ponen calientes en esta familia.
B2Political discussions always get heated in this family.
Tienen unos temperamentos muy calientes; siempre están gritando.
C1They have very passionate/fiery temperaments; they are always shouting.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Meaning
When describing feelings or discussions, 'calientes' means intense or volatile, like a flame. It describes the energy or mood of a group or situation.
As a verb form, calientes (from calentar) can mean 'you warm up' (in the present subjunctive).
calientes(verb)
you warm up
?tú form, present subjunctive
,you heat up
?tú form, present subjunctive
📝 In Action
Necesito que calientes la comida antes de servirla.
B1I need you to warm up the food before serving it.
No calientes el agua demasiado, por favor.
B1Don't heat the water too much, please. (Negative command)
💡 Grammar Points
The Subjunctive Use
This form, 'calientes', is the special verb ending you must use when expressing a desire, wish, command, or doubt directed toward 'tú' (you). This happens after phrases like 'Quiero que...' (I want that...) or 'Espero que...' (I hope that...).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Indicative and Subjunctive
Mistake: "Quiero que tú calientas la leche."
Correction: Quiero que tú calientes la leche. (After 'querer que', the next verb needs the special subjunctive ending.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Stem-Change Reminder
The base verb 'calentar' is stem-changing (E changes to IE) in most present tenses, but not in the 'nosotros' or 'vosotros' forms of the indicative.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: calientes
Question 1 of 1
Which meaning of 'calientes' is being used in the sentence: 'Las noticias sobre el escándalo estaban muy calientes.'
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
If 'calientes' is the plural of 'caliente', why is it also a verb form?
This is a common overlap in Spanish! 'Calientes' functions as the plural adjective (meaning 'hot things'). It is also the specific conjugation of the verb 'calentar' (to heat up) used when talking to 'tú' (you) in the special subjunctive mood, which is needed for wishes or suggestions.
How do I know if 'calientes' means 'hot' or 'spicy'?
Context is key. If you are describing food, especially in Mexico, it likely means 'spicy.' If you are describing water, coffee, or weather, it means 'hot' (temperature).