comida caliente
/komida kaljente/from spelling rules
In Spanish, hot food is translated as comida caliente.
The phrase comida caliente refers specifically to food that is at a high temperature. While caliente is the literal translation of the adjective hot, you should use comida picante if you are referring to spicy food or food containing chili peppers. If you want to describe something as burning or fiery, you might use the word ardiente, which can be used metaphorically for extremely hot food.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of comida (food) and caliente (hot).
Which one should you use?
Use comida caliente when discussing temperature. If you mean food that is spicy, use comida picante instead.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, comida caliente is widely used in both formal and informal contexts. In Mexico, the phrase comida calientita is often used instead of comida caliente. In Argentina, you may also hear the term comida calentita to refer to hot food.
Did you know?
- While comida caliente describes temperature, using caliente to describe a person can imply they are sexually aroused rather than physically warm.
- To describe a person who feels hot, Spanish speakers use the verb tener meaning 'to have' rather than the adjective caliente, saying tengo calor instead of estoy caliente.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, adding the suffix -ita to create calientita does not just mean 'a little hot' but implies the food is at a comforting or ideal temperature.
Examples in context
- No me gusta la comida caliente.I don't like hot food.This sentence is useful for expressing a dislike for comida caliente.Tatoeba #7918562 by arh, translation #6272784 by CK
- ¿Podría decirme si esta comida está caliente?Could you tell me if this food is hot?
- Nuestros alimentos están calientes y recién preparadosOur food is hot and freshly made
- Quiero comer comida caliente esta nocheI want to eat hot food tonight
- Me gusta comer comida picanteI like to eat hot food
- Vayamos a ese restaurante, tienen comida calentitaLet's go to that restaurant, they have warm food
- La sopa está calienteThe soup is hot
- ¡Cuidado! ¡El café está ardiente!Be careful! The coffee is scorching hot!
- Prefiero la comida caliente en invierno.I prefer hot food in winter.
- La comida caliente se sirve en un plato.The hot food is served on a plate.
Example conversation
Javier and María are deciding what to order at a restaurant.
- JavierTengo mucha hambre, quiero comida caliente.I am very hungry, I want hot food.
- MaríaYo también, ¿pedimos una sopa?Me too, shall we order a soup?
- JavierSí, la sopa es la mejor comida caliente.Yes, soup is the best hot food.
- MaríaDe acuerdo, voy a pedirla ahora.Agreed, I am going to order it now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
