heiß
/haɪ̯s/
The German phrase for "someone is hot" is heiß.
The term is used to describe a person who is physically attractive or sexually appealing.
Which one should you use?
While heiß is used to denote sexual appeal, the loanword sexy is also a common alternative in German to describe someone as sexually attractive.
How do you pronounce it?
/haɪ̯s/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers should be careful when using heiß to describe a person, as it can carry a much stronger sexual connotation than the English word "hot" in certain contexts.
Did you know?
- Unlike English, where 'hot' can describe a spicy pepper, Germans use scharf for spice, though scharf can also describe a person as 'sharp' or sexually attractive.
- In German, if you say Mir ist heiß, you are not saying 'I am hot' in an attractive way, but rather that you are feeling physically overheated.
- In some regional dialects, describing someone as heiß can be replaced by the phrase ein heißes Teil, which literally translates to 'a hot part' or 'a hot piece'.
Examples in context
- Du siehst echt heiß aus!You look really hot!
- Du bist wirklich attraktiv.You're really attractive.
- Du bist eine richtige Augenweide.You are a real feast for the eyes.
- Du bist einfach zum Anbeißen!You're simply irresistible!
- Der Typ ist echt heiß.That guy is really hot.
- Ich finde ihn total heiß.I find him totally hot.
- Sie ist eine heiße Frau.She is a hot woman.
Example conversation
Felix and Laura are looking at a photo of a celebrity.
- FelixSchau mal, der Schauspieler ist so heiß!Look, that actor is so hot!
- LauraJa, das stimmt, er ist sehr attraktiv.Yes, that's true, he is very attractive.
- FelixIch glaube, er ist der heißeste Mann.I think he is the hottest man.
- LauraVielleicht, aber er ist nicht mein Typ.Maybe, but he is not my type.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry heiß, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
