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March 24, 2026
热(熱)rè(re4)
The character 热 (rè) primarily means 'hot' and can refer to temperature, such as hot weather or food. It also conveys a sense of fervency or passion in contexts like enthusiasm or zeal. Common usage includes describing the weather, discussing spicy food, and expressing strong emotions or interests.
Strokes10Radical灬Frequency#999DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, hot foods are often associated with health benefits and are commonly consumed during colder months to warm the body, reflecting a holistic approach to diet and wellness.
Memory Tip
Imagine a steaming pot of hot soup (热), where the steam represents warmth and excitement. The character resembles a pot with heat rising from it, helping you remember both its sound 'rè' and its meaning of warmth and intensity.
Meanings of 热
rè(re4)
1to warm up
2to heat up
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 热
热Simplified
熱Traditional
10Strokes
灬Radical
名形词xíngróngcíadj-noun (adj.-n.)Part of Speech
#999Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 热
Podcast: 热
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AI Study Notes for 热
Quick Contrast
热 (hot) vs 烫 (scalding) — use 热 for general heat, while 烫 specifically refers to something that is dangerously hot to the touch.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 热 (rè) with 冷 (lěng), which means 'cold'. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, but when describing feelings, it can have a more informal nuance. Common collocations include 热天 (hot day) and 热情 (enthusiasm).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, 热 (rè) connects with other basic adjectives like 冷 (lěng) and 大 (dà, big). Focus on using it in simple sentences to describe temperature and feelings, as it will help reinforce your vocabulary around weather and emotions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 热 (rè) to describe emotions directly without context. For example, saying '我热' (wǒ rè - 'I am hot') can be confusing unless referring to temperature; it's better to say '我很热情' (wǒ hěn rè qíng - 'I am very enthusiastic').
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 热
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Simplified form of 熱. Phonosemantic compound. 灬 represents the meaning and 埶 represents the sound.
1The meaning half灬 carries the sense.
2The sound half执 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayfire
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 热? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 热?
Decomposition of 热
IDS Structure⿱执灬
热Full Character
=
执zhi2
top
灬huo3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 热?
How to say to warm up in Chinese
“to warm up” in Chinese is热rè
The character 热 (rè) primarily means 'hot' and can refer to temperature, such as hot weather or food. It also conveys a sense of fervency or passion in contexts like enthusiasm or zeal. Common usage includes describing the weather, discussing spicy food, and expressing strong emotions or interests.
When to use 热
Be careful not to confuse 热 (rè) with 冷 (lěng), which means 'cold'. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, but when describing feelings, it can have a more informal nuance. Common collocations include 热天 (hot day) and 热情 (enthusiasm).
热 or something close to it
热 (hot) vs 烫 (scalding) — use 热 for general heat, while 烫 specifically refers to something that is dangerously hot to the touch.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 热 (rè) to describe emotions directly without context. For example, saying '我热' (wǒ rè - 'I am hot') can be confusing unless referring to temperature; it's better to say '我很热情' (wǒ hěn rè qíng - 'I am very enthusiastic').
Write 热
热
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Practice writing 热 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 热
热 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
