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升温 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
升温shēngwēnto become hotHSK 5, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #20277, Hard
升温shēngwēntemperature riseHSK 5, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #20277, Hard
升温shēngwēn(fig.) to intensifyHSK 5, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #20277, Hard
升温shēngwēnto hot upHSK 5, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #20277, Hard
升温shēngwēnto escalateHSK 5, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #20277, Hard
升温shēngwēnto get a boostHSK 5, unknown, 16 strokes, rank #20277, Hard
shēngwēn(sheng1wen1)sheng wen T1
  1. 1to become hot
  2. 2temperature rise
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March 24, 2026

升温(升溫)shēngwēn(sheng1wen1)

升温 (shēngwēn) means 'to rise in temperature' or 'to become hot.' It is commonly used in both a literal sense, such as when discussing weather or cooking, and in a figurative sense, indicating an escalation or intensification of situations, such as tensions or trends.

Strokes16Frequency#20277DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, discussions about temperature can often relate to seasonal changes and health, such as the importance of staying warm in winter or cool in summer. The concept of '升温' also reflects the emphasis on harmony and balance in various aspects of life.

Memory tip

Imagine a pot on the stove that is '升' (rising up) in temperature, making the water '温' (warm). Visualize the steam rising as the pot gets hotter, which also represents situations heating up or becoming more intense.

Meanings of 升温

shēngwēn(sheng1wen1)
1to become hot
2temperature rise
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About 升温

升温Simplified
升溫Traditional
16Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5AdvancedCEFRC2

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Podcast: 升温

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AI study notes for 升温

Quick Contrast

升高 (shēnggāo) - use 升温 when referring specifically to temperature or heat, while 升高 can refer to an increase in height or level.

Usage Notes

升温 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in news reports or scientific discussions. Common collocations include '气温升温' (temperature rise) and '气氛升温' (atmosphere heating up). Be careful with the tone; the first syllable is pronounced with a high level tone (sheng1).

HSK Study Tips

While 升温 is not explicitly listed in HSK vocabulary, it connects to HSK Level 3 and above topics related to weather and emotions. Students should focus on recognizing how it can describe both physical and metaphorical increases.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 升温 with 冷却 (lěngquè, to cool down), using it incorrectly in contexts where cooling is involved. For example, saying '天气升温' (the weather is cooling down) is incorrect; it should be '天气下降' (tiānqì xiàjiàng).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 升温

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Component characters

升shēngto ascend
HSK 54 strokes十
View full entry
温Wēnwarm
HSK 312 strokes氵
View full entry

How to say to become hot in Chinese

“to become hot” in Chinese is升温shēngwēn

升温 (shēngwēn) means 'to rise in temperature' or 'to become hot.' It is commonly used in both a literal sense, such as when discussing weather or cooking, and in a figurative sense, indicating an escalation or intensification of situations, such as tensions or trends.

When to use 升温

升温 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in news reports or scientific discussions. Common collocations include '气温升温' (temperature rise) and '气氛升温' (atmosphere heating up). Be careful with the tone; the first syllable is pronounced with a high level tone (sheng1).

升温 or something close to it

升高 (shēnggāo) - use 升温 when referring specifically to temperature or heat, while 升高 can refer to an increase in height or level.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 升温 with 冷却 (lěngquè, to cool down), using it incorrectly in contexts where cooling is involved. For example, saying '天气升温' (the weather is cooling down) is incorrect; it should be '天气下降' (tiānqì xiàjiàng).

Write 升温

升
温

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Frequently asked questions about 升温

Yes, 升温 can describe situations like escalating tensions or intensifying debates.

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