horký
[ˈɦorkiː]masculine
The Czech word for hot (adj) is horký.
horký is used to describe something having a high temperature. While it describes objects or liquids, you should use it carefully when describing the weather.
Meaning: having a high temperature (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, horký must agree with the gender of the noun it describes. You use horká for feminine nouns, such as horká voda (hot water) and horké for neuter nouns, such as horké jídlo (hot food). The form horké is also used for the plural of certain neuter nouns, like horké čaje (hot teas).
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use horký to mean 'spicy' as you might in English. While horký refers to temperature, you should use pikantní or ostrý when talking about spicy food.
When do people say it?
To add emphasis to extreme heat, you can use the word pekelný, which translates to 'hellish'.
Did you know?
- While horký describes temperature, Czechs use the word horký in the phrase horká hlava to describe someone who is hot-tempered or impulsive.
- The word horký is a close relative of the word hořký, which actually means 'bitter'.
- While you might call a person 'hot' in English to mean they are attractive, calling someone horký in Czech conveys only their physical body temperature.
Examples in context
- Ten den byl horký.The day was hot.This sentence shows how to describe a hot day using horký.Tatoeba #6824391 by Ergulis, translation #2752729 by carlosalberto
- Tento čaj je velmi horký.This tea is very hot.This sentence uses horký to describe the temperature of tea.Tatoeba #9968778 by aldar, translation #61267 by CK
- Oheň je horký a led studený.Fire is hot and ice is cold.This sentence provides a contrast between fire and ice using horký.Tatoeba #12645479 by aldar, translation #12638425 by Adelpa
- Káva je horkáThe coffee is hot
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Tomáš and Kateřina are in the kitchen.
- TomášKateřino, je ten horký čaj dobrý?Kateřina, is that hot tea good?
- KateřinaAno, ale je moc horký.Yes, but it is too hot.
- TomášMusím ho nechat trochu vychladnout.I must let it cool down a bit.
- KateřinaDej mi prosím trochu vody.Please give me some water.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hot” translations and entries horký, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries horký, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
