cálido
weather, welcoming
Spanish has no single word for "warm". In Mexico cálido fits climate or a friendly welcome, tibio fits water or food that is only mildly hot, and calientito is the friendly everyday word for pleasantly warm.
Meaning: moderately hot (adjective)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| cálido | weather, welcoming |
| tibio | liquids and food |
| calientito | everyday, Mexico |
Calientito is the diminutive of caliente, "hot". Mexicans use it for a warm drink, a blanket or a room, as in un cafecito calientito.
Which one should you use?
For weather people often say hace calor ("it is hot") or hace un poco de calor. Tibio can also describe a lukewarm reaction.
Did you know?
- Mexicans often add -ito to words for comfort or affection, which is why calientito and cafecito sound friendly.
Examples in context
- El agua está tibia.The water is warm.
- Tomé un chocolate calientito.I had a nice warm hot chocolate.
- En la costa el clima es cálido todo el año.On the coast the climate is warm all year.
Example conversation
Abuelo Tomás and his granddaughter Mía sit in the kitchen on a cold morning in Toluca.
- MíaAbuelo, hace frío.Grandpa, it is cold.
- Abuelo TomásToma tu chocolate calientito.Have your nice warm chocolate.
- MíaEstá muy rico.It is very tasty.
- Abuelo TomásY ponte el suéter.And put on your sweater.
