Inklingo

How to Say "hot" in Spanish

English → Spanish

caliente

/ka-lyen-te//kaˈljente/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'caliente' when referring to the temperature of objects, liquids, or food, or when describing a tense or heated situation.
A brightly colored illustration of a steaming mug filled with hot liquid, representing high temperature.

Examples

El café está demasiado caliente.

The coffee is too hot.

Cuidado, el plato está muy caliente.

Be careful, the plate is very hot.

Me gusta tomar un chocolate caliente en invierno.

I like to drink hot chocolate in the winter.

El agua de la ducha está perfectamente caliente.

The shower water is perfectly warm.

Adjective That Doesn't Change

'Caliente' is a handy adjective because it stays the same whether you're talking about something masculine ('el café caliente') or feminine ('la sopa caliente').

Use 'Estar', Not 'Ser'

To describe the temperature of something, which is a temporary state, you'll almost always use the verb 'estar'. For example, 'La pizza está caliente' (The pizza is hot).

Saying How YOU Feel

Mistake: “Estoy caliente.”

Correction: Tengo calor. (I feel hot). Be very careful! Saying 'estoy caliente' means 'I'm sexually aroused'. To talk about your body feeling hot because of the weather, always use 'Tengo calor'.

picante

pee-KAHN-teh/piˈkante/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'picante' specifically when describing food or ingredients that have a spicy flavor, typically from chili peppers.
A bright red chili pepper emitting small stylized puffs of steam, indicating heat or spice.

Examples

Me encanta la comida mexicana porque es picante.

I love Mexican food because it's spicy/hot.

Esta salsa roja es demasiado picante para mí.

This red sauce is too spicy for me.

Compramos unos tacos muy picantes en el mercado.

We bought some very hot tacos at the market.

Adjective Agreement

Since 'picante' ends in 'e,' it works for both masculine and feminine nouns in the singular (e.g., 'el plato picante,' 'la sopa picante'). It only changes to 'picantes' for plural nouns.

Using 'caliente'

Mistake: “Using 'caliente' when you mean 'spicy.'”

Correction: 'Caliente' means hot temperature (like coffee). Always use 'picante' for spicy flavor.

ardiente

ar-DYEN-teh/aɾˈðjen.te/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'ardiente' to describe intense, often uncomfortable, heat, usually related to the sun or a very high temperature.
A simple, stylized image of a bright orange and yellow flame burning brightly against a dark background.

Examples

El sol ardiente del verano nos obligó a quedarnos en casa.

The burning/hot summer sun forced us to stay home.

El sol del desierto era tan ardiente que tuvimos que buscar sombra.

The desert sun was so scorching that we had to look for shade.

Las brasas ardientes todavía estaban rojas.

The burning embers were still red.

Adjective Position

Like most descriptive adjectives, 'ardiente' usually goes after the noun it modifies: 'una llama ardiente' (a burning flame).

rico

REE-koh/ˈriko/

adjectiveC1slang
Use 'rico' as slang to describe someone as physically attractive or 'hot'.
A friendly, confident young adult character standing upright and smiling brightly while wearing a simple, stylish blue shirt.

Examples

Ese actor nuevo está muy rico.

That new actor is very hot/attractive.

Esa actriz está muy rica. Todos la admiran.

That actress is very attractive/hot. Everyone admires her.

No puedo concentrarme, mi compañero de trabajo está súper rico.

I can't concentrate, my coworker is super hot.

Confusing Temperature and Spiciness

The most common mistake is using 'caliente' for spicy food. Remember that 'caliente' refers to temperature, while 'picante' is specifically for spicy flavors. Don't ask for 'agua caliente' if you want spicy water!

Related Translations

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