Italian · Emotions & Descriptions
"Hot" in Italian: caldo/a
caldo/a
Hot in Italian is caldo (KAHL-doh) for masculine nouns and calda for feminine. For weather, say fa caldo (it's hot). For food and drinks, caldo means heated, not spicy.
Summer afternoon outdoors
Oggi fa davvero caldo, restiamo all'ombra.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce caldo/a
Say it
KAHL-doh
/ˈkal.do/
Caldo stresses KAHL: KAHL-doh. Calda is KAHL-dah. Fa caldo runs together: fah-KAHL-doh.
"Hot" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| caldo / calda | hot (adj.) Agrees with the noun: caffè caldo, acqua calda. | Agrees with the noun: caffè caldo, acqua calda. |
| fa caldo | it's hot (weather) Standard weather comment. | Standard weather comment. |
| molto caldo | very hot Stronger weather or temperature. | Stronger weather or temperature. |
| caldino | nicely warm Affectionate diminutive for mild heat. | Affectionate diminutive for mild heat. |
How to use caldo/a in real life
- 1Summer afternoon outdoors
Oggi fa davvero caldo, restiamo all'ombra.
It's really hot today, let's stay in the shade.
Fa caldo is the weather pattern, not è caldo alone.
- 2At a café counter
Vorrei un caffè caldo, non freddo.
I'd like a hot coffee, not a cold one.
Caldo contrasts with freddo for drinks.
- 3Checking bath water
L'acqua è calda, puoi entrare.
The water is hot, you can get in.
Calda agrees with acqua (feminine).
Mistakes English speakers make with caldo/a
Incorrect: Oggi è caldo.
Correct: Oggi fa caldo.
Weather uses fare: fa caldo, fa freddo—not usually è caldo for the day.
Incorrect: Voglio una minestra caldo.
Correct: Voglio una minestra calda.
The adjective must agree: minestra is feminine, so calda.
Good to know
In heatwaves Italians talk about afa (muggy heat) as much as caldo. Shops may close in the early afternoon in smaller towns, and a caldo espresso is the default unless you ask for freddo. Spicy heat is piccante, not caldo.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Meeting for a gelato in July
ChatPal
Hai notato quanto fa caldo oggi?
Have you noticed how hot it is today?
You
Sì, troppo caldo per camminare al sole.
Yes, too hot to walk in the sun.
ChatPal
Prendiamo un tè, ma non troppo caldo.
Let's get tea, but not too hot.
You
Va bene, o un caffè caldo corto.
Fine, or a short hot coffee.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Hot" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Hot" in Italian
How do I say it's hot outside?
Fa caldo. Add molto or davvero for emphasis.
Does caldo mean spicy?
No. Spicy is piccante. Caldo is temperature.
When do I use calda?
With feminine nouns: acqua calda, minestra calda, giornata calda.
What is acqua calda?
Hot water—useful in hotels and when asking if the boiler works.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
Keep reading
- How to Learn Italian Fast and Speak with ConfidenceLearn how to learn Italian with a clear roadmap, speaking-first tactics and daily habits that turn basics into real conversation confidence.
- Translate Hello in Italian with ConfidenceLearn how to translate hello in Italian with context, pronunciation, and practice prompts. Master ciao, buongiorno, buonasera, and salve for real conversations.
