加热
jiārè
The English phrase "heat up" is translated into Chinese as 加热 (jiārè).
加热 means to cause something to become hotter. It is commonly used when referring to the process of warming up substances or reheating food, such as in the phrase 加热食物 (heat up food).
Meaning: cause to become hotter (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that the action of heating up has been completed, you can add the particle 了 after the verb, resulting in 加热了 (heated up).
How do you pronounce it?
jiārè
Did you know?
- In a social context, if a conversation is 'heating up' or becoming intense, Chinese speakers often use the term 白热化 which literally translates to 'white-hot stage' like molten metal.
- While 加热 is used for general heating, the specific word 烫 (tàng) is used for food that has been 'heated up' so much it burns the skin.
- The character 加 in 加热 literally means 'to add'. Instead of thinking of heating as a change in temperature, the language frames it as 'adding heat' to an object.
Examples in context
- 把这个汤热起来，然后送到客人那里。Heat up this soup and then bring it to the guests.
- 请把这碗汤加热一下。Qǐng bǎ zhè wǎn tāng jiārè yīxià.Please heat up this bowl of soup.
- 微波炉可以快速加热食物。Wēibōlú kěyǐ kuàisù jiārè shíwù.A microwave can heat up food quickly.
- 我们需要加热一下牛奶。Wǒmen xūyào jiārè yīxià niúnǎi.We need to heat up the milk.
Example conversation
At home in the evening, a couple is preparing a meal.
- 俊杰 Junjie梓涵，晚饭准备好了吗？Zǐhán, wǎnfàn zhǔnbèi hǎole ma?Zihan, is dinner ready?
- 梓涵 Zihan还没，我需要加热一下剩菜。Hái méi, wǒ xūyào jiārè yīxià shèngcài.Not yet, I need to heat up the leftovers.
- 俊杰 Junjie那我帮你把牛奶加热一下吧。Nà wǒ bāng nǐ bǎ niúnǎi jiārè yīxià ba.Then let me help you heat up the milk.
- 梓涵 Zihan谢谢你，俊杰。Xièxiè nǐ, Jùnjié.Thank you, Junjie.
