How Do You Say ‘Hot’ in Chinese? Pronunciation, Examples, Cultural Tips

If you’ve ever traveled to China in the summer or ordered spicy Sichuan food, you probably wanted to say “hot” in Mandarin. But here’s the twist! In Chinese, “hot” can mean several different things depending on context:

• 热 (rè) — hot temperature

• 烫 (tàng) — hot to the touch

• 辣 (là) — spicy hot in flavor

Using the wrong word can lead to confusion, or even funny misunderstandings. For example, telling someone “你很热 (nǐ hěn rè)” could mean “You have a fever,” not “You look attractive”!

In this guide, we’ll explore how do you say hot in Chinese, master the pronunciation, learn cultural tips, and practice with real examples. If you’re looking for high-quality online Chinese classes for kids, WuKong Chinese offers age-appropriate lessons led by native speakers with a deep understanding of the Chinese language and culture.

What Does ‘Hot’ Mean in Chinese?

Unlike in English, “hot” in Chinese changes form depending on what you’re describing:

1. Hot weather or environment — Use 热 (rè).

2. Something physically hot to touch — Use 烫 (tàng).

3. Spicy flavor — Use 辣 (là).

4. Attractive person — Use 性感 (xìng gǎn) or slang like 辣 (là), but carefully.

Cultural Tip:
If you want to compliment someone’s appearance, don’t directly use “热.” Instead, say:

• 你很漂亮 (nǐ hěn piào liang) — You’re beautiful.

• 你很帅 (nǐ hěn shuài) — You’re handsome.

In casual slang, you might hear 很辣 (hěn là) for “hot” in the sense of “spicy-looking,” but this is informal and best used with close friends.

Common Chinese Expressions for ‘Hot’

Below is a table of 8 useful Chinese expressions with pinyin, English meaning, example sentences, and usage tips.

8 Ways to Say “Hot” in Chinese

‘Hot’ in Chinese By Context

Weather and Environment

• 今天特别热。(Jīn tiān tè bié rè.) — It’s especially hot today.

• 室内很热，开空调吧。(Shìnèi hěn rè, kāi kōngtiáo ba.) — It’s hot inside, turn on the AC.

Touching Something Hot

• 咖啡太烫了，等一下。(Kā fēi tài tàng le, děng yí xià.) — The coffee is too hot, wait a bit.

• 盘子很烫，小心拿。(Pán zi hěn tàng, xiǎo xīn ná.) — The plate is hot, be careful.

Spicy Food

• 我不太能吃辣。(Wǒ bú tài néng chī là.) — I can’t handle spicy food.

• 四川火锅很辣。(Sìchuān huǒguō hěn là.) — Sichuan hotpot is very spicy.

Fun Learning Activities: Pronunciation Quiz

Question	Options
Which word means “spicy hot”?	a) 热 b) 辣 c) 烫
Which is used for touching hot objects?	a) 烫 b) 辣 c) 热
Which is slang for “attractive”?	a) 性感 b) 烫 c) 炎热
How to say “It’s hot today”?	a) 今天很辣 b) 今天很热 c) 今天很烫
Which tone is in “热”?	a) 2nd tone b) 4th tone c) 3rd tone

Answer: B A A B B

Conclusion

Mastering how to say hot in Chinese will help you describe weather, food, and people accurately and avoid awkward mix-ups. With these expressions, you can confidently talk about summer heat, spicy meals, or even pay someone a compliment. Looking for a fun way to learn Chinese? Try WuKong Chinese classes, made just for kids, taught by real native teachers.