很热
hěn rè
The Chinese phrase for "very hot" is 很热 (hěn rè).
很热 is used to describe a high temperature in the air or of an object.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of two parts: 很 (hěn), which means "very" and 热 (rè), which means "hot".
Which one should you use?
While 很热 translates to "very hot", you should avoid using just 热 on its own in a simple declarative sentence such as "It is hot". Doing so sounds grammatically incomplete or unnatural to native speakers.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 很热, the word 很 acts as a required linker between the subject and the adjective, even if the English translation does not emphasize the word "very".
How do you pronounce it?
hěn rè
What mistakes should you avoid?
When saying "It is hot", English speakers often mistakenly try to use the verb for "to be" (是 – shì) by saying something like 天气是热. Instead, you should use 很 before the adjective.
Did you know?
- If you want to say someone is 'hot' in an attractive or sexual way, you wouldn't use 热 (rè). Instead, you might use 火辣 (huǒ là), which literally means 'fiery and spicy'.
- To express that the heat is truly unbearable, you might say the weather is 热死了 (rè sǐ le), which literally translates to 'hot to death'.
- In certain contexts, if you want to say a topic is 'hot' or currently popular, you use 热门 (rè mén). This literally translates to 'hot gate' or 'hot door'.
Examples in context
- 日本的夏天很热。It is very hot in the summer in Japan.This sentence is useful for noting how the phrase is used to describe summers in Japan.Tatoeba #2030729 by ydcok, translation #1588669 by CM
- 他们说天气会很热。They say it will be very hot.This sentence shows how the phrase is used to talk about future weather predictions.Tatoeba #9955925 by GlossaMatik, translation #463222 by lukaszpp
- 京都的夏天很热。Summers are very hot in Kyoto.This sentence demonstrates how to describe the summer weather in Kyoto.Tatoeba #335172 by fucongcong, translation #19310 by CN
- 今天天气非常炎热，出门记得带上遮阳帽。Today's weather is extremely hot, remember to wear a sun hat when going out.
- 夏天南方地区常常有酷热的天气。In summer, the southern regions often experience scorching hot weather.
- 我不敢出去，天热死了！I dare not go out, it's scorching hot!
- 这里的夏天热得要命，简直无法忍受。The summer here is unbearably hot, I can't stand it.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about the weather outside.
- 雨婷 Yuting外面很热，你想喝水吗？Wàimiàn hěn rè, nǐ xiǎng hē shuǐ ma?It is very hot outside, do you want some water?
- 伟 Wei是的，我真的很渴。Shì de, wǒ zhēn de hěn kě.Yes, I am really thirsty.
- 雨婷 Yuting今天的太阳确实很热。Jīntiān de tàiyáng quèshí hěn rè.The sun is indeed very hot today.
- 伟 Wei谢谢你，雨婷。Xièxiè nǐ, Yǔtíng.Thank you, Yuting.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
