caldissimo
The English phrase 'very hot' is translated into Italian as caldissimo.
caldissimo is used to describe something that has a very high temperature. You might use the formal phrase Estremamente caldo to emphasize how incredibly hot it is, or Particolarmente caldo to highlight that the day is particularly hot.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is formed by adding the suffix -issimo to the adjective. This suffix is an absolute superlative used to turn an adjective into its 'very' or 'extremely' form.
Which one should you use?
While molto caldo also means 'very hot', the single-word superlative caldissimo often feels more emphatic and integrated into the adjective.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes its ending to match the gender and number of the noun it describes: use caldissimo for masculine nouns, caldissima for feminine nouns, caldissimi for masculine plural nouns and caldissime for feminine plural nouns.
Did you know?
- In Italian, if you describe a person as being caldissimo, it can imply they are very passionate or even sexually aroused rather than just physically hot.
- The word caldo is a cognate of the Spanish caldo, but in Spanish it specifically refers to 'broth' or 'soup'.
- The superlative suffix -issimo used in caldissimo is so versatile that Italians often add extra syllables, like caldissimissimo, to express extreme emphasis.
Examples in context
- La giornata è molto caldaThe day is very hot.
- È una giornata estremamente caldaIt's an extremely hot day.
- È una giornata bollenteIt's a boiling hot day.
- C'è tanta afa oggiThere's a lot of sultriness today.
- Fa un caldo rovente oggiIt's scorching hot today.
- Fa un caldo da morire oggi!It's incredibly hot today!
- Il tè è caldissimo.The tea is very hot.
- Fai attenzione, il piatto è caldissimo.Be careful, the plate is very hot.
Example conversation
Matteo and Sofia are having coffee in a cafe.
- MatteoSofia, il caffè è caldissimo.Sofia, the coffee is very hot.
- SofiaGrazie, lo bevo con calma.Thanks, I will drink it slowly.
- MatteoVuoi un po' d'acqua fresca?Do you want some fresh water?
- SofiaSì, grazie, grazie mille.Yes, please, thank you so much.
