calor
/kaˈloɾ/masculine
The English word 'heat' is translated into Spanish as calor. Wiktionary also lists calidez.
Meaning: condition or quality of being hot (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| calor | /kaˈloɾ/ | masculine |
| calidez | /kaliˈdeθ/ /kaliˈdes/ |
feminine |
calor is a masculine noun used to describe the physical condition or quality of being hot. To describe the weather as being hot, you use the phrase hace calor.
Which one should you use?
While calor refers to physical temperature, calidez is a feminine noun used to describe emotional warmth or friendliness.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, such as Argentina and Uruguay, the word bochorno can be used to describe oppressive heat or sultriness (mugginess).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Use the verb tener with calor, resulting in the phrase tener calor.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaˈloɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the adjective caliente when they mean to use the noun for 'heat'. You should use the noun calor instead.
Did you know?
- While English speakers say 'I am hot' to describe their feeling, saying estoy caliente in Spanish can imply sexual arousal rather than temperature.
- The word bochorno describes a specific type of oppressive heat, but it can also mean 'shame' or 'embarrassment' in a social context.
- The English word 'calorie' and the Spanish word calor are distant linguistic cousins, both tracing back to the same ancient root describing heat.
Examples in context
- Me gusta el calor.I like the heat.This sentence is useful for expressing a preference for the heat using calor.Tatoeba #2932029 by marcelostockle, translation #2377474 by CK
- No me gusta el calor.I don't like the heat.This sentence is useful for expressing a dislike of the heat using calor.Tatoeba #2258763 by hayastan, translation #2258762 by _undertoad
- El calor me debilita.Heat makes me weak.This sentence is useful for describing the physical effect of calor on a person.Tatoeba #4493045 by umano, translation #9525054 by DJ_Saidez
- Hace mucho calor hoyIt's very hot today.
- La temperatura está muy altaThe temperature is very high.
- 101 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are walking outside on a summer afternoon.
- JavierSiento mucho el calor hoy.I feel the heat a lot today.
- MaríaEs verdad, hace demasiado calor.It's true, it is too hot.
- Javier¿Quieres ir a la sombra?Do you want to go to the shade?
- MaríaSí, por favor, necesito descansar.Yes, please, I need to rest.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “heat” translations and entries calor, calidez, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries calidez, calor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
