calentar
/kalenˈtaɾ/
To warm up in Spanish is calentar.
The verb calentar is used both for increasing the temperature of an object, such as warming up food and for the physical act of preparing the body for exercise. In addition to calentar, the phrase entrar en calor is also used to mean warm up in informal contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are referring to a person warming up their own body for physical activity, the reflexive form calentarse is often used.
How do you pronounce it?
/kalenˈtaɾ/
Did you know?
- While 'calentar' means to warm something up, if you say 'me estoy calentando' in a social setting, you might accidentally imply you are becoming sexually aroused.
- The verb calentar can also be used figuratively to mean 'to stir up' or 'to provoke' a situation or an argument.
- The word calentar is a direct relative of the English word 'calorie', as both share a root related to heat.
Examples in context
- ¿Me puedes calentar un poco de leche?Could you warm up some milk for me?This example shows how to use calentar when asking to warm up a liquid like milk.Tatoeba #13440544 by Seael, translation #13440539 by rul
- Hay que calentar antes de nadar en la piscina.It's necessary to warm up before swimming in the pool.This sentence demonstrates using calentar for the physical act of warming up before swimming.Tatoeba #6568650 by arh, translation #10250323 by LimeGreenTeknii
- La habitación está empezando a calentarse ahora.The room is starting to warm up now.This example shows the verb used in the context of a room's temperature increasing.Tatoeba #7843397 by arh, translation #7837511 by CK
- Antes de comenzar el entrenamiento, es importante calentar los músculos.Before starting the workout, it's important to warm up your muscles.
- El equipo de fútbol necesita entrar en calor antes del partido.The soccer team needs to warm up before the match.
- Los corredores siempre se preparan antes de una carrera importante.Runners always warm up before an important race.
- ¡Vamos a jugar un partido! Primero, tenemos que entrar en calor.Let's play a match! First, we need to warm up.
- Siempre me caliento antes de salir a correr.I always warm up before going for a run.
- Antes de la presentación, el orador se prepara leyendo su discurso en voz alta.Before the presentation, the speaker warms up by reading their speech out loud.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier are at a park ready to jog.
- SofíaJavier, ¿quieres calentar un poco primero?Javier, do you want to warm up a bit first?
- JavierSí, Sofía, es mejor calentar antes de trotar.Yes, Sofía, it is better to warm up before jogging.
- SofíaPerfecto, yo empiezo a calentar ahora.Perfect, I'll start warming up now.
- JavierYo también, así no nos lesionamos.Me too, so we don't get injured.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry calentar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries calentar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
