(muito) quente
/ˈmũj̃.tu ˈkẽ.t͡ʃi/word by word
The English word "hot" is translated into Portuguese as (muito) quente.
The phrase is used to describe things having a high temperature. While quente is the standard term for objects or the weather, there are several specific alternatives: ardente implies a higher level of intensity or heat and can be used metaphorically. escaldante is a formal option often used for very hot water or surfaces. And cálido is a formal way to describe a warm or hot climate.
Meaning: having a high temperature (adj)
Which one should you use?
Use quente to describe the temperature of objects or the weather, but use the noun calor when you want to refer to the concept of "heat" itself.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, the word quentão refers to a specific traditional hot alcoholic beverage that is served during festivals, particularly during the winter.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of quente is quentes.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmũj̃.tu ˈkẽ.tʃi/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying estou quente to mean "I am hot" (feeling the temperature). In many Portuguese-speaking contexts, this can imply that you are sexually aroused. Instead, use estou com calor to express that you feel hot due to the temperature.
Did you know?
- The Portuguese word quente is a close relative of the English word 'calorie', as both trace back to the Latin root for heat.
- The word quente comes from the Old Galician-Portuguese word caente, which derived from the Latin 'calentem'.
Examples in context
- A sopa está quente.The soup is hot.
- Cuidado, a água está escaldante!Be careful, the water is scalding!
- Os países no sul têm um clima cálido.Countries in the south have a warm climate.
- Vem provar este pão quentinho!Come taste this warm bread!
- O professor está sempre calorento.The teacher is always feeling hot.
- Sentei-me na praia e a areia ardia.I sat on the beach and the sand was scorching.
- A sopa está muito quente.The soup is very hot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hot” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (muito, quente) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries quente, CC BY-SA 4.0.
