Inklingo

How to Say "heat" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “heat” is “calor” — use this word when referring to high temperatures, the sensation of warmth, or hot weather conditions.

calor🔊A1

Use this word when referring to high temperatures, the sensation of warmth, or hot weather conditions.

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ronda🔊A2

Use this when 'heat' refers to a patrol or a circuit that someone makes regularly, like a security guard's route.

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eliminatoria🔊B1

Use this for a qualifying round or match in a competition, especially in sports like racing or swimming, where losers are eliminated.

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celo🔊B2

This term is specifically used for the mating period or rut of animals, often referred to as 'being in heat'.

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fuegos🔊B2

Use this figurative term to describe intense emotions, passion, or fervor, often associated with strong feelings or excitement.

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manga🔊B2

This refers to a single race or game within a larger match or competition, particularly in sports like tennis or cycling.

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serie🔊B2

Use this when 'heat' refers to a series of games or matches in a competition, like a playoff series in baseball or basketball.

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English → Spanish

calor

kah-LORkaˈloɾ

nounA1general
Use this word when referring to high temperatures, the sensation of warmth, or hot weather conditions.
A bright yellow sun shining intensely over a vast, dry desert landscape, illustrating high temperature and heat.

Examples

Hace mucho calor en verano aquí.

It is very hot in the summer here.

Tengo tanto calor que necesito un helado.

I am so hot that I need an ice cream.

El calor del fuego nos mantuvo cómodos.

The warmth of the fire kept us comfortable.

Masculine Noun Rule

Even though 'calor' ends in '-or', it is a masculine noun. Always use 'el' before it (el calor).

Feeling Hot: Tener vs. Estar

To talk about feeling hot, Spanish uses the verb 'tener' (to have). You say 'Tengo calor' (I have heat), NOT 'Soy/Estoy caliente'.

Mixing up the feeling and the object

Mistake: “Estoy caliente. (I am hot.)”

Correction: Tengo calor. ('Estoy caliente' usually refers to being sexually aroused, which is usually not what you mean!)

Using 'hacer' incorrectly

Mistake: “El día es calor.”

Correction: The correct way to talk about the weather is 'Hace calor' (It makes heat).

ronda

RRON-dahˈron.da

nounA2general
Use this when 'heat' refers to a patrol or a circuit that someone makes regularly, like a security guard's route.
Four distinct, colorful geometric shapes (a red star, a blue heart, a yellow square, and a green triangle) arranged in a perfect closed circle, symbolizing a complete cycle or sequence.

Examples

El guardia de seguridad hace una ronda cada hora.

The security guard does a patrol every hour.

Esta es la última ronda de negociaciones antes del acuerdo final.

This is the last round of negotiations before the final agreement.

Pasamos a la segunda ronda del torneo.

We moved on to the second round of the tournament.

eliminatoria

eh-lee-mee-nah-toh-ryaheluminaˈtoɾja

nounB1sports
Use this for a qualifying round or match in a competition, especially in sports like racing or swimming, where losers are eliminated.
A colorful storybook illustration of a group of runners crossing a finish line with a large gate in the background.

Examples

España ganó la eliminatoria contra Italia.

Spain won the qualifying round against Italy.

Estamos en la fase de eliminatorias para el Mundial.

We are in the qualifying phase for the World Cup.

Fue una eliminatoria muy reñida que se decidió en el último minuto.

It was a very close play-off that was decided in the last minute.

One word, multiple games

In many Spanish-speaking countries, one 'eliminatoria' can actually refer to a pair of matches (home and away) rather than just a single game.

Always Feminine

When used to mean a sports round, this word is always feminine: 'la eliminatoria'. Don't let the 'o' in the related verb 'eliminar' confuse you!

Eliminación vs. Eliminatoria

Mistake: “Nuestra eliminación fue muy difícil.”

Correction: Nuestra eliminatoria fue muy difícil.

celo

SEH-loh/ˈθelo/ (Spain), /ˈselo/ (Latin America)

nounB2biology
This term is specifically used for the mating period or rut of animals, often referred to as 'being in heat'.
A pair of deer standing close together in a lush forest clearing.

Examples

La gata está en celo y no deja de maullar.

The cat is in heat and won't stop meowing.

El perro se pone agresivo cuando hay una hembra en celo.

The dog gets aggressive when there is a female in heat.

Es la época de celo de los ciervos.

It is the rutting season for the deer.

The phrase 'en celo'

This phrase behaves like an adjective to describe the state of an animal.

Applying this to humans

Mistake: “Using 'en celo' for people.”

Correction: This is strictly for animals. Using it for humans is very offensive or vulgar.

fuegos

FWAY-gosˈfwe.ɣos

nounB2figurative
Use this figurative term to describe intense emotions, passion, or fervor, often associated with strong feelings or excitement.
A stylized, bright red heart shape radiating small, swirling flames, symbolizing intense passion or ardor.

Examples

Sus palabras estaban llenas de los fuegos de la juventud.

His words were full of the passion of youth.

Figurative Plural

When used to mean 'passion,' it often appears in the plural, emphasizing the intensity and abundance of the feeling.

manga

MAHN-gahˈmaŋɡa

nounB2sports
This refers to a single race or game within a larger match or competition, particularly in sports like tennis or cycling.
A gold trophy sitting on a pedestal to represent a stage of a competition.

Examples

El tenista ganó la primera manga del partido.

The tennis player won the first set of the match.

Mañana se corre la segunda manga de la carrera.

The second heat of the race will be run tomorrow.

Sports Terminology

While 'set' is common in tennis, 'manga' is the traditional Spanish word used in sports to describe these segments.

serie

SEH-ree-ehˈse.ɾje

nounB2sports
Use this when 'heat' refers to a series of games or matches in a competition, like a playoff series in baseball or basketball.
A simplified illustration of a sports arena background with two opposing flags, one red and one blue. Below them, small golden trophies are distributed, showing a tally of multiple matches played in a series.

Examples

Si ganan el partido de hoy, aseguran la serie eliminatoria.

If they win today's game, they secure the playoff series.

El atleta debe completar tres series de veinte sentadillas.

The athlete must complete three sets of twenty squats.

Corrió tan rápido que ganó su serie en la semifinal.

He ran so fast that he won his heat in the semifinal.

Confusing Weather Heat with Competition Heats

The most common confusion is between 'calor' (weather heat) and terms like 'eliminatoria' or 'serie' (competition heats). Remember that 'calor' is about temperature, while 'eliminatoria' and 'serie' refer to stages or rounds within a contest.

Related Translations

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