热

• Pinyin: rè
• Hanzi breakdown: 热 = simplified from 熱; 灬 (fire dots) at bottom indicates heat

Meaning

Hot; warm; heat. Describes a high temperature or enthusiastic atmosphere.

Primarily describes high temperature for weather, food, or objects. Also used figuratively to describe popularity or enthusiasm, such as 热情 (enthusiasm), 热闹 (lively/bustling). The opposite is 冷 (cold). Commonly used in weather conversations.

Examples

1. 今天天气很热。 The weather is very hot today.
2. 这杯水太热了。 This glass of water is too hot.
3. 夏天很热。 Summer is very hot.

Usage Guide

Context: weather, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 今天好热啊！(It's so hot today!)
• 这个菜还是热的。(This dish is still hot.)

Don't Say

• 天气是热。(Don't use 是 with adjectives — say 天气很热 using 很 before the adjective)

Origin & History

The traditional character 熱 contains 埶 (planting) over 灬 (fire), suggesting the heat needed for cultivating plants. Simplified to 热.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal