What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the intensifier súper, which functions like a prefix meaning "super" or "very" and caliente, which means "hot".
Which one should you use?
While súper caliente is common in casual speech, muy caliente is the standard way to say "very hot" in more formal or neutral contexts. If you want to convey a stronger intensity than muy caliente, you can use the formal expression sumamente caliente (extremely hot). Additionally, the word ardiendo can be used colloquially to describe something as hot, although it literally means "burning".
How does it change in a sentence?
The intensifier súper does not change for gender or number, so the phrase remains súper caliente even when describing plural objects.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using caliente to describe spicy food. In Spanish, caliente refers to temperature, whereas you should use picante to describe spiciness.
Did you know?
- Using caliente to describe a person can imply they are sexually aroused or 'horny' rather than having a fever.
- To express that you are feeling hot due to the temperature, you should use the verb tener in the phrase tengo calor instead of the verb estar.
- The use of súper as a general intensifier in Spanish is a 'pseudo-anglicism'. It was popularized as a shortening of supermercado, which was itself a translation of the English word 'supermarket'.
Examples in context
- ¡Cuidado! El agua está muy caliente.Be careful! The water is very hot.
- Este café está sumamente caliente, ten cuidado.This coffee is extremely hot, be careful.
- ¡Esa salsa está candente! Ten cuidado con el picante.That salsa is super hot! Be careful with the spiciness.
- Ten cuidado, el café está súper caliente.Be careful, the coffee is super hot.
- La sopa está súper caliente, no la toques.The soup is super hot, don't touch it.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are in the kitchen during lunch.
- Alejandro¿Está lista la comida, María?Is the food ready, María?
- MaríaSí, pero el plato está súper caliente.Yes, but the plate is super hot.
- AlejandroGracias por avisarme, tendré cuidado.Thanks for letting me know, I will be careful.
- MaríaDe nada, Alejandro, disfruta tu almuerzo.You're welcome, Alejandro, enjoy your lunch.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries caliente, súper, CC BY-SA 4.0.
