mainit
/maˈʔinit/
The Tagalog word for hot is mainit. Wiktionary also lists nakapapaso.
Meaning: having a high temperature (adj)
Ways to say it
| Tagalog | IPA |
|---|---|
| mainit | /maˈʔinit/ (Standard Tagalog) |
| nakapapaso |
The word mainit is used for both physical temperature (like food or weather) and metaphorical heat (like a heated argument or debate).
Which one should you use?
While mainit is the general word for hot, nakapapaso specifically describes heat that is intense enough to cause a burn or scald.
How do you pronounce it?
/maˈʔinit/
Did you know?
- In the Philippines, describing a person as mainit ang ulo literally means their 'head is hot', but it actually means they are grumpy or lose their temper easily.
- Although mainit means hot, the Tagalog word for 'spicy' is maanghang, and using mainit to describe a pepper would be understood as its physical temperature rather than its flavor.
- The root init is shared with other Austronesian languages, reflecting a prehistoric linguistic connection that stretches from the Philippines to Madagascar.
Examples in context
- Mainit dito, di ba?It's hot in here, right?The example using mainit shows how to comment on the temperature of a room.Tatoeba #1789387 by nonong, translation #1388224 by marcelostockle
- Mainit-init ito na debate.It was a fairly hot debate.The example using mainit describes a debate that is somewhat heated.Tatoeba #11576612 by qwertzu, translation #3733524 by CK
- Isa iyong mainit na debate.It was a hot debate.The example using mainit describes a debate that is hot.Tatoeba #11576618 by qwertzu, translation #3733523 by CK
- Ang panahon ay mainitThe weather is hot.
- Ang lugar na ito ay maalinsanganThis place is hot.
- Ang sinigang na ito ay maanghangThis sinigang is spicy.
- Ang init!It's hot!
- Ang anghang ng pagkain na ito!This food is so spicy!
- Ang pogi niya!He's so good-looking!
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ricardo and Jasmine are sitting in a cafe.
- RicardoMainit ba ang kape mo, Jasmine?Is your coffee hot, Jasmine?
- JasmineOo, mainit na mainit ito.Yes, it is very hot.
- RicardoMag-ingat ka baka mapaso ka.Be careful or you might get burned.
- JasmineSalamat, Ricardo.Thanks, Ricardo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hot” translations and entries mainit, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
