Translation guide
This guide covers how to express 'heat up' in Japanese, focusing on warming food, drinks, rooms, and objects, as well as figurative uses like intensifying situations.
To make food or a drink hot, typically using a microwave, stove, or other heat source.
The most common and general verb for warming up food or drinks. Can be used for leftovers, soup, sake, etc.
Please heat up the leftovers in the microwave.
Shall I heat up the soup?
Casual, onomatopoeic verb meaning to microwave something. Very common in daily conversation.
Can you heat this up in the microwave for a bit?
To heat something, often used in cooking or technical contexts. Implies applying direct heat.
Heat the oil in a frying pan.
To increase the temperature of a room, building, or enclosed area.
Specifically for warming a room or space. Note the kanji 暖 (warmth) vs. 温 for food.
Let's heat up the room with the air conditioner.
Literally 'turn on the heater'. The most natural way to say 'heat up the room' in many contexts.
It's cold, so can I turn on the heater?
To make one's body or a body part warm, often after being cold.
To describe something becoming hot, like the weather, an engine, or a device.
To make a situation, debate, or competition more intense or exciting.
Intransitive; for situations becoming intense. Often used for competition, arguments, etc.
The game is heating up.
Can also mean 'get passionate/heated', especially for people's emotions.
The debate is heating up.
Loanword from English 'heat up', used for situations, emotions, or competition becoming intense.
The election campaign is heating up.
Both read あたためる. 温める is for warming objects, food, or body parts. 暖める is for warming a room or atmosphere. The kanji difference reflects the type of warmth.
When describing food that is hot (temperature), use 熱い (あつい). But for 'heating up' food, use 温める, not 熱する. 熱する implies applying high heat, often in cooking.
I rubbed my hands together to warm them up.