quema
/ˈkema/
The English phrase "it burns" is translated into Spanish as quema.
quema is used to describe the sensation of heat or a stinging pain on the skin. You may also encounter the idiomatic expression está que quema!, which is used to emphasize that something is extremely hot to the touch.
Which one should you use?
While quema specifically describes the sensation of heat or stinging, it is distinct from duele, which is used for general physical pain that does not necessarily involve heat.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form quema is the third-person singular present indicative of the verb quemar. If you want to say "it burns me" to refer to a sensation on your own body, you should use the indirect object pronoun me before the verb, resulting in me quema.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkema/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the phrase quemar el colchón (to burn the mattress) is a colloquial euphemism for spending the honeymoon in passionate intimacy.
- While quema describes a stinging burn, Spanish uses the phrase quemarse las pestañas (to burn one's eyelashes) to describe someone who studies intensely for a long time.
- In certain contexts, quemar can be used to describe the act of destroying evidence by fire, but it is also used in street slang to mean 'snitching' or exposing someone's secret.
Examples in context
- ¡Está que quema!It burns!This sentence is useful for emphasizing that something is extremely hot using quema.Tatoeba #7536658 by arh, translation #9524899 by DJ_Saidez
- María, después de tocar la estufa caliente, exclamó: "¡Ay! ¡Me quemo!"María, after touching the hot stove, exclaimed: "Ouch! I'm burning!"
- Ten cuidado, esta sopa quema.Be careful, this soup burns.
- Me quema la piel después del sol.My skin burns after the sun.
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are eating spicy food.
- DanielEsta salsa está muy picante.This sauce is very spicy.
- SofíaSí, ¡me quema la lengua!Yes, it burns my tongue!
- DanielBebe un poco de leche, Sofía.Drink a little milk, Sofía.
- SofíaGracias, Daniel. Ya se siente mejor.Thanks, Daniel. It feels better now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry quema, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
