Translation guide
The English word "heat" covers a wide range of meanings, from physical warmth to emotional intensity and sports rounds. This guide breaks down the most useful Japanese expressions for each context.
Referring to the physical quality of being hot, or the sensation of warmth.
Used for atmospheric heat, especially hot weather. This is the most common word for heat you feel in the air.
I can't stand today's heat.
Refers to heat as a form of energy, or the heat of an object, fever, or passion. More scientific or internal than 暑さ.
The degree or sensation of heat from an object, like food or a surface. Less common than 暑さ for weather.
High temperature, often used in technical or formal contexts.
The act of making something hot, or a device used for heating.
Heating (system) for a room or building. Not for cooking.
Emotional heat, such as anger, enthusiasm, or pressure.
Enthusiasm, zeal, passion. Positive emotional heat.
The feeling of being under pressure or scrutiny.
A preliminary contest to qualify for the next stage.
Preliminary round, qualifying heat.
The sensation of heat from spicy food.
Spiciness, hotness (from chili, etc.). Not temperature heat.
The period when a female animal is ready to mate.
The heat is unbearable today.
This metal conducts heat well.
I have a fever. (lit. There is heat.)
I was surprised by the heat of this soup.
高温注意。
Caution: high temperature.
Please turn on the heat.
The process of applying heat, especially in cooking or science.
Heating time is 5 minutes.
Literally 'fire', but often used for cooking heat. 'Heat' in recipes is often 火.
Simmer on low heat for 10 minutes.
I could feel his passion/enthusiasm.
Heated atmosphere, excitement in a crowd or event.
I was overwhelmed by the heat/excitement of the venue.
Intensity, fierceness. Can be used for heated arguments or competition.
I was surprised by the heat of the argument.
To get angry, to lose one's temper. Literally 'come to the head'.
His attitude really makes my blood boil.
Loanword from English, very common for psychological pressure.
I feel a lot of heat/pressure before a match.
Pressure, often from external forces or authority.
I can't take the heat from my boss.
He placed first in the 100m heat.
The heat of this curry is just right.
Pungent taste, spiciness. Often used in food descriptions.
I like dishes with a lot of heat.
Mating season, estrus. Technical/biological term.
Cats are in heat in spring.
Heat is generated by friction.
Check the heat of the bath.
When talking about spicy food, use 辛さ (karasa) or 辛味 (karami). Using 熱 (netsu) or 暑さ (atsusa) would mean temperature heat, not spiciness.
He entered the 200m heat.
I like the heat of this chili.