Which one should you use?
While calor refers to the sensation of heat or the state of being hot, the adjective caliente is used to describe an object that is hot to the touch.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the English loanword 'sexy' is commonly used to describe someone as hot. In Mexico, the slang term buenota/o is used to refer to someone who is physically attractive or hot.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that you are experiencing the sensation of hotness, use the verb tener (to have) with calor rather than using ser or estar. When describing the weather or the ambient temperature, use the verb hacer (to make/do) with calor, as in hace calor.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaˈloɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the adjective caliente instead of the noun calor when they intend to express the concept of heat or hotness.
Did you know?
- While calor describes the sensation of heat, the adjective caliente can imply sexual arousal when used to describe a person.
- The English word 'calorie' is a distant linguistic relative of calor, as both originate from the same Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to be hot'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the expression tener calor is often accompanied by a specific gesture of fanning oneself with the hand.
Examples in context
- Hace mucho calor hoyIt's very hot today
- Siento un ardor intenso en mi pielI feel an intense hotness on my skin
- ¡Qué caliente está el café!The coffee is so hot!
- ¡Esa chica es un cañón!That girl is smoking hot!
- ¡Eres súper sexy!You are super hot!
- Ese hombre es un cuerazoThat man is smoking hot
- El calor es insoportable hoy.The heat is unbearable today.
- Siento mucho el calor en esta habitación.I feel a lot of heat in this room.
- El calor del desierto es muy fuerte.The heat of the desert is very strong.
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are sitting in a room without an air conditioner.
- Javier¿Sientes este calor, Sofía?Do you feel this heat, Sofía?
- SofíaSí, Javier, hace demasiado calor.Yes, Javier, it is too hot.
- JavierDeberíamos abrir la ventana.We should open the window.
- SofíaBuena idea para aliviar el calor.Good idea to relieve the heat.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry calor, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries calor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
