Which one should you use?
While temperatura alta is the standard way to say high temperature, you may encounter other formal variations. Alta temperatura translates directly to "high temperature," and temperatura elevada translates to "elevated temperature," which is typically reserved for scientific or technical contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, if you wish to describe suffocating heat or sweltering weather, you can use the phrase hace un calor sofocante.
How does it change in a sentence?
When describing the level of temperature in Spanish, use the adjective alta (high) rather than using a word for heat. Temperature is described as being alta (high) or baja (low).
How do you pronounce it?
/tempeɾatuɾa alta/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying temperatura caliente. Although English speakers often translate "hot" literally, Spanish speakers describe temperature as being high or low rather than using the word for hot.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word temperatura comes from the Latin word temperātūra, which refers to the act of mixing or blending in the right proportion.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a 'high temperature' in the weather is often described as bochorno, which specifically means heat combined with oppressive humidity.
- When temperatures are extremely high, some regions use the phrase estamos que ardemos, which literally means 'we are burning'.
Examples in context
- Este horno alcanza una temperatura elevada para cocinar la comida rápidamente.This oven reaches an elevated temperature to cook the food quickly.
- ¡Hace mucho calor hoy! Necesito un refresco.It's very hot today! I need a refreshment.
- No puedo dormir, está haciendo un calor insoportable en mi habitación.I can't sleep, it's unbearably hot in my room.
- Odio el verano aquí, hace un bochorno insoportable.I hate the summer here, it's unbearably hot and humid.
- No puedo salir de casa, hace un calor sofocante en la calle.I can't leave the house, it's sweltering on the street.
- La temperatura es muy alta hoy.The temperature is very high today.
- La temperatura alta es peligrosa para los niños.A high temperature is dangerous for children.
- No me gusta la temperatura alta en verano.I do not like the high temperature in summer.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are talking about the weather forecast.
- LucíaMañana habrá una temperatura alta en la playa.Tomorrow there will be a high temperature at the beach.
- AlejandroEntonces debemos llevar mucho bloqueador solar.Then we should bring plenty of sunscreen.
- LucíaSí, y también mucha agua para beber.Yes, and also plenty of water to drink.
- AlejandroPerfecto, Alejandro preparará todo para el viaje.Perfect, Alejandro will prepare everything for the trip.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries temperatura, CC BY-SA 4.0.
