sobrecalentar
/sobɾekalenˈtaɾ/
To overheat in Spanish is sobrecalentar.
Meaning: become excessively hot (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The prefix sobre- corresponds to the English prefix over- in the sense of excess.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain areas of Latin America, recalentarse may be more commonly used instead of sobrecalentarse.
How does it change in a sentence?
When describing a machine or object that overheats itself, the reflexive form sobrecalentarse is commonly used, such as in se sobrecalienta (it overheats).
How do you pronounce it?
/sobɾekalenˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- In some dialects, if a person is 'overheated' from the sun, they might say they are achicharrado, a much more visceral word that implies being scorched or charred.
- The verb calentar is also a common slang term in several Latin American countries for 'to incite' or 'to stir up' trouble among people.
- The word calentar shares a common ancestor with the English word 'caloric', which relates to the measurement of heat energy.
Examples in context
- El motor del automóvil comenzó a sobrecalentarse después de funcionar durante varias horas seguidas.The car engine began to overheat after running for several hours straight.
- El motor se sobrecalentó.The engine overheated.
- El motor se puede sobrecalentar en verano.The engine can overheat in summer.
- Es peligroso sobrecalentar el teléfono así.It is dangerous to overheat the phone like that.
- Cuidado, no vayas a sobrecalentar la computadora.Careful, don't go overheating the computer.
Example conversation
Javier and Lucía are in the kitchen looking at a laptop.
- Javier¿Por qué está tan caliente la computadora?Why is the computer so hot?
- LucíaCreo que se va a sobrecalentar.I think it's going to overheat.
- JavierDebemos apagarla inmediatamente.We should turn it off immediately.
- LucíaTienes razón, Javier, es mejor prevenir.You're right, Javier, it's better to be safe.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sobrecalentar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sobrecalentar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
