hirviendo
/iɾbjendo/from spelling rules
The English phrase steaming hot translates to Spanish as hirviendo.
While the literal meaning of hirviendo is boiling, it is commonly used to describe food or liquids that are steaming hot. You can also use ardiendo as an alternative description for steaming hot, or the informal expression super caliente to describe something as super hot.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as an adjective meaning boiling or steaming, hirviendo does not change for gender or number to match the noun it describes.
How do you pronounce it?
/iɾbjendo/
Did you know?
- While hirviendo describes the temperature of food, the word caliente can take on a sexual connotation depending on the context and the pronoun used.
- In Spanish, the phrase estar que hirve is used to describe a person who is absolutely furious. It suggests the person is 'boiling over' with rage.
- While hirviendo describes hot food, the word ardiendo literally means 'burning'. Using ardiendo to describe a meal implies it is so hot it feels like fire on the tongue.
Examples in context
- Muy calienteVery hot
- La sopa está hirviendo.The soup is steaming hot.
- El café está hirviendo.The coffee is steaming hot.
- Ten cuidado, la sopa está hirviendo.Be careful, the soup is steaming hot.
Example conversation
Javier and María are sitting in a cafe.
- Javier¿Quieres un poco de té?Do you want some tea?
- MaríaNo, gracias, está hirviendo.No, thanks, it is steaming hot.
- JavierEs verdad, ten mucho cuidado.That's true, be very careful.
- MaríaGracias, Javier.Thanks, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
