Signification
Describing high temperature.
Contexte culturel
The concept of 'Afa' is central to Italian summer. It refers to stagnant, humid heat that makes 'fare caldo' feel much worse. Italians will often specify 'fa un caldo afoso'. In the South, the 'Controra' is the period between 2 PM and 5 PM when 'fa troppo caldo' to do anything. Shops close and streets are deserted. In August, cities like Milan or Florence become 'città deserte' because 'fa un caldo bestiale' and everyone moves to the 'refrigerio' (coolness) of the mountains or sea. Complaining about the heat ('lamentarsi del caldo') is a standard social bonding ritual. It is never considered rude to comment on how hot it is.
The 'Avere' Rule
Always remember: People HAVE heat (avere caldo), the weather MAKES heat (fare caldo).
Avoid 'Io sono caldo'
This is a very common mistake that can lead to embarrassing misunderstandings as it can imply sexual arousal.
Signification
Describing high temperature.
The 'Avere' Rule
Always remember: People HAVE heat (avere caldo), the weather MAKES heat (fare caldo).
Avoid 'Io sono caldo'
This is a very common mistake that can lead to embarrassing misunderstandings as it can imply sexual arousal.
Use 'Caldissimo'
Instead of saying 'molto caldo', Italians almost always use the absolute superlative 'caldissimo' in casual conversation.
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'fare'.
Oggi ______ molto caldo fuori.
Weather expressions always use the third person singular 'fa'.
How do you say 'I am hot' in Italian?
Choose the correct translation:
To express personal feelings of temperature, Italians use 'avere' (to have).
Match the situation to the correct phrase.
You are describing the weather in Rome last summer.
The imperfect tense 'faceva' is used for descriptions in the past.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Possiamo andare a correre? B: No, ora ______ troppo caldo.
We use 'fa' to describe the ambient temperature that makes it too hot to run.
Match the Italian phrase to its English meaning.
1. Fa caldo, 2. Ho caldo, 3. È caldo
This distinguishes between ambient heat, personal feeling, and object temperature.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Fare vs. Avere vs. Essere
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesOggi ______ molto caldo fuori.
Weather expressions always use the third person singular 'fa'.
Choose the correct translation:
To express personal feelings of temperature, Italians use 'avere' (to have).
You are describing the weather in Rome last summer.
The imperfect tense 'faceva' is used for descriptions in the past.
A: Possiamo andare a correre? B: No, ora ______ troppo caldo.
We use 'fa' to describe the ambient temperature that makes it too hot to run.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
This distinguishes between ambient heat, personal feeling, and object temperature.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's grammatically okay but redundant. Italians just say 'Fa caldo'.
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
You say 'Inizia a fare caldo' or 'Si sta scaldando'.
'Caldo' is the sensation/weather; 'calore' is the physical energy (heat).
No, never. Use 'avere caldo' for people.
Use 'Fa troppo caldo'.
No, weather expressions with 'fare' are always singular.
It's a very informal way to say 'it's incredibly hot'.
No, for food use 'essere caldo'. Example: 'La pasta è calda'.
Simply ask: 'Fa caldo fuori?'
Expressions liées
fare freddo
contrastTo be cold (weather)
avere caldo
similarTo feel hot
fare bel tempo
builds onTo be good weather
un caldo da morire
specialized formDeathly hot
