热 (rè)

An adjective meaning "hot" in temperature, whether describing weather, food, beverages, or how a person feels. Its antonym is 冷 (lěng), meaning "cold."

Meanings

[adjective] Hot (in temperature, for weather, objects, or feelings of heat).

Example Sentences

今天天气很热。 Jīntiān tiānqì hěn rè. The weather today is very hot.

这碗汤很热，小心别烫到。 Zhè wǎn tāng hěn rè, xiǎoxīn bié tàng dào. This bowl of soup is very hot, be careful not to burn yourself.

我很热，能开一下空调吗？ Wǒ hěn rè, néng kāi yīxià kōngtiáo ma? I am very hot, can you turn on the air conditioning?

夏天北京非常热。 Xiàtiān Běijīng fēicháng rè. Beijing is extremely hot in summer.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
很热	very hot
天气热	the weather is hot
热水	hot water
热茶	hot tea
热情	warm, enthusiastic
热闹	lively, bustling

Memory Hook

Antonym of 冷 (lěng, cold). 热 contains the 火 (fire) radical at the bottom — fire makes things hot. When you see 热, picture flames underneath.