Ways to say it
| Romanian | IPA |
|---|---|
| fierbinte | [fjerˈbinte] (narrow) |
| cald | /kald/ |
Both words are used to describe high temperatures, but they are used in different contexts depending on what is being described.
Which one should you use?
Use cald to describe the temperature of things or the weather. In contrast, use fierbinte for things that are physically very hot to the touch, such as a cup of coffee or to describe a person's temperament or passion. While both mean hot, cald is the standard word for weather, whereas fierbinte implies a much higher, often scalding or intense heat.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word fierbinte is invariant in gender, meaning it stays the same for masculine, feminine and neuter nouns. However, the adjective cald must change to caldă when describing a feminine noun, such as apa caldă (warm/hot water).
Did you know?
- The word cald is used in the expression a avea cald, which literally means 'to have heat' but is the standard way to say 'I am hot'.
- In Romanian, calling a person fierbinte can carry a suggestive or sexual undertone, implying they are 'hot' in a provocative way.
- The word cald shares a direct root with the English word 'cauldron', as both derive from the Latin root for heat.
Examples in context
- A fost foarte cald.It was very hot.This sentence is useful for expressing that the weather was very hot using cald.Tatoeba #5120603 by fathe, translation #275958 by CK
- Era ridicol de cald.It was ridiculously hot.This sentence is useful for emphasizing that the temperature was ridiculously hot using cald.Tatoeba #6639148 by elenacristina260, translation #6078342 by OsoHombre
- Este foarte cald aici.It's really hot in here.This sentence is useful for describing the current temperature in a specific location using cald.Tatoeba #6156636 by AlbertaJ, translation #2297442 by Hybrid
- Discursul lui Alexandru era plin de pasiune arzătoare.Alexandru's speech was full of burning passion.
- Astăzi este o zi călduroasă în România.Today is a hot day in Romania.
- Te rog să nu atingi cercul fierbinte de pe plită.Please do not touch the hot circle on the stove.
- Ador mâncarea picantă, dar nu toată lumea o suportă.I love spicy food, but not everyone can handle it.
- M-am ars la soare, a fost o zi arzătoare.I got sunburned, it was a scorching day.
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Andrei are having coffee together.
- ElenaAi grijă, ceaiul este foarte fierbinte!Be careful, the tea is very hot!
- AndreiMulțumesc, Elena. Îl voi lăsa să se răcească.Thank you, Elena. I will let it cool down.
- ElenaVrei să mai pui puțin lapte rece?Do you want to add some cold milk?
- AndreiDa, pentru că e prea fierbinte acum.Yes, because it is too hot right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hot” translations and entries fierbinte, cald, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
