caldo
/ˈkal.do/
The English word 'hot' is translated into Italian as caldo. Wiktionary also lists molto caldo and bollente.
Meaning: having a high temperature (adj)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| caldo | /ˈkal.do/ |
| molto caldo | /ˈmol.to ˈkal.do/ (word by word) |
| bollente | /bolˈlɛn.te/ |
The adjective caldo is used to describe objects or environments that have a high temperature.
Which one should you use?
While caldo is the standard way to say hot, bollente is used specifically to describe something that is extremely hot or boiling.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, caldo must agree in gender and number with the noun it describes. Use calda for feminine singular nouns, caldi for masculine plural nouns and calde for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈkal.do/. The stress is on the first of the two syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
When you want to say 'I am hot' to describe your own sensation of heat, do not use the verb 'to be'. Instead, use the verb 'to have' by saying ho caldo.
Did you know?
- While English speakers say 'I am hot', saying io sono caldo in Italian can imply that you are feeling sexually aroused rather than just physically warm.
- The word molto shares a Proto-Indo-European root with the concept of something being 'crumbled' or 'crumpled'.
- Italian has a specific word, afa, to describe the heavy, stifling, and humid heat that characterizes certain summer days.
Examples in context
- Il tè è caldo.The tea is hot.This sentence shows how to use caldo to describe the temperature of tea.Tatoeba #3350600 by Guybrush88, translation #462952 by lukaszpp
- So che è caldo.I know it's hot.This sentence demonstrates the use of caldo to state that something is hot.Tatoeba #6066100 by Guybrush88, translation #2376058 by CK
- Il Sole è caldo.The sun is hot.This sentence uses caldo to describe the sun.Tatoeba #13530519 by Guybrush88, translation #9648089 by abburns
- Attenzione, la tazza è bollente!Watch out, the cup is boiling hot!
- La spiaggia al sud è sempre bollente d'estate!The beach in the south is always scorching hot in summer!
- 383 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Lorenzo are having lunch together.
- GiuliaAttento, il piatto è ancora molto caldo.Be careful, the plate is still very hot.
- LorenzoGrazie, aspetterò un momento.Thanks, I will wait a moment.
- GiuliaPreferisci il pane caldo o freddo?Do you prefer the bread hot or cold?
- LorenzoSicuramente caldo, grazie Giulia.Definitely hot, thanks Giulia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hot” translations and entries caldo, bollente, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (molto, caldo) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caldo, molto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
