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A2 verb #9,500 most common 11 min read

escaldar

Top 9,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips escaldar in 30 Seconds

Explanation escaldar in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'escaldar' as a word for 'very hot water.' You might not use it yourself often, but you will hear it as a warning. Think of it as a step above 'quente' (hot). If someone says 'Cuidado, está a escaldar!', they are telling you 'Careful, it's scalding!' This is usually about soup, coffee, or bath water. At this stage, just focus on the physical sensation of extreme heat from liquids. You don't need to worry about the complex grammar or metaphors yet. Just remember: Escaldar = Ouch! Hot liquid! It's a vital safety word for beginners traveling to Portuguese-speaking countries, especially when dealing with taps in old buildings or hot drinks in cafes. You might also see it in very simple recipes, like 'escaldar o leite' (scald the milk). It's a regular verb, so it follows the same pattern as 'falar' or 'estudar,' which makes it easy to conjugate if you need to say 'Eu me escaldei' (I burned myself).

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'escaldar' in practical situations, particularly in the kitchen. You should learn that 'escaldar' is a specific cooking technique—pouring boiling water over something. You might use it when explaining how to make a salad (escaldar os tomates) or preparing a traditional dish. You also start to use the reflexive form 'me escaldei' or 'se escaldou' to describe small accidents. This is also the level where you should learn the most famous Portuguese proverb: 'Gato escaldado tem medo de água fria.' Even if you don't use it in conversation yet, recognizing it will help you understand native speakers' logic. You should be able to distinguish between 'ferver' (the water is boiling) and 'escaldar' (the water is burning you or being used on food). Understanding the difference between 'quente' (hot), 'muito quente' (very hot), and 'escaldante' (scalding) will enrich your descriptive vocabulary.

At the B1 level, you should become comfortable with the metaphorical uses of 'escaldar.' You can use 'estar escaldado' to describe being wary of something. For example, if you had a bad experience with a specific airline, you can say 'Estou escaldado com essa empresa.' This shows a deeper grasp of the language's idiomatic side. You also start to use the word to describe the weather or the environment more creatively—'um sol escaldante' or 'um clima escaldante.' In terms of grammar, you should be proficient in using 'escaldar' in various tenses, including the preterite for past accidents and the future for warnings. You might also encounter the noun 'escaldão' (sunburn) in Portugal, which is directly related to the verb. At this level, you are moving beyond the kitchen and into the realm of feelings, climate, and social interactions where 'heat' is a metaphor for intensity or danger.

At the B2 level, you should use 'escaldar' with precision in professional or more formal contexts. You might use it to describe 'ânimos escaldados' during a business negotiation or a political discussion. You understand the nuance that 'escaldar' implies a boiling point of emotions. You can also use the verb in its more technical senses, such as sterilization in a medical or laboratory context ('escaldar os instrumentos'). Your use of the proverb 'Gato escaldado...' should be natural and timely. You should also be able to explain the difference between 'escaldar' and its synonyms like 'aferventar' or 'pelar' to someone else. At this stage, you are expected to understand the word in literature or news reports where it might be used to describe the 'searing' effects of a crisis or the 'burning' passion of a character. You should also be familiar with regional variations, such as the Brazilian 'escalda-pés'.

At the C1 level, 'escaldar' becomes a tool for stylistic expression. You can use it to create vivid imagery in writing, describing a 'lágrima escaldante' (a scalding tear) to convey deep, painful emotion. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word, which helps you appreciate its use in older texts or classical Portuguese literature. You can navigate the subtle differences between 'escaldar' and 'incendiar' in metaphorical contexts, choosing the one that best fits the 'liquid' or 'radiating' nature of the situation. Your use of the word is no longer just about heat; it's about the *consequence* of heat—the trauma, the sterilization, the transformation. You can engage in complex discussions about culture where the concept of being 'escaldado' (wary) might apply to a whole generation's view on politics or the economy. You use the word with the ease of a native, including its more obscure or poetic applications.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'escaldar' in all its registers. You can use it in academic writing to describe thermal processes or in high-level journalism to describe the 'escaldante' (extremely urgent and heated) nature of a geopolitical conflict. You understand the word's role in the phonetics and rhythm of Portuguese poetry. You might even use the word in wordplay or puns, playing on its literal and metaphorical meanings simultaneously. You are fully aware of how 'escaldar' interacts with other verbs of heat and destruction to create a nuanced semantic field. There is no context—be it a specialized culinary manual, a medical journal, a legal document discussing 'ânimos escaldados' in a crime of passion, or a modern novel—where you wouldn't understand the precise intent of the author's choice of 'escaldar.' You have internalized the 'Gato escaldado' philosophy not just as a phrase, but as a deep-seated cultural concept that you can invoke with subtlety.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

escaldar in 30 Seconds

Escaldar primarily means to scald or burn with hot liquid, steam, or oil.
In cooking, it refers to blanching ingredients or preparing specific doughs with boiling water.
The word is central to the proverb 'Gato escaldado tem medo de água fria' (Once bitten, twice shy).
It can describe intense weather (sol escaldante) or heated emotions (ânimos escaldados).

The Portuguese verb escaldar is a multifaceted term primarily associated with high temperatures and liquids. At its core, it means to scald or to burn something with a hot liquid, but its application ranges from culinary techniques to medical accidents and even metaphorical warnings. In a kitchen setting, you will hear escaldar when a recipe requires you to pour boiling water over ingredients, such as tomatoes to remove their skins or flour to prepare specific types of dough like broa de milho. This process is not just about heating; it is about a rapid, intense thermal shock that changes the physical properties of the subject.

Culinary Context: In Portuguese cooking, 'escaldar a farinha' is a crucial step for many traditional breads, where boiling water is mixed with flour to gelatinize the starches before the main kneading process begins.

Beyond the kitchen, the word carries a cautionary weight. If you spill hot coffee on your hand, you might say 'eu me escaldei' (I scalded myself). It implies a level of heat that is painful and potentially damaging, often involving water, steam, or oil. Interestingly, the word also appears in hygiene contexts, referring to the act of sterilizing utensils by rinsing them in boiling water.

É necessário escaldar os tomates para tirar a pele facilmente antes de fazer o molho caseiro.

This sentence highlights a very common practical use: the blanching process. The word is deeply embedded in the Portuguese psyche through the famous proverb 'Gato escaldado tem medo de água fria,' which translates literally to 'A scalded cat is afraid of cold water,' serving as a reminder that past traumas dictate future caution. This metaphorical use is perhaps where intermediate learners will encounter the word most frequently in conversation. The word also describes environmental heat; on a very hot summer day in Lisbon or Luanda, one might say 'o sol está a escaldar' (the sun is scalding/burning), indicating an intensity that feels physically aggressive. Understanding 'escaldar' requires recognizing this transition from a literal physical action to a descriptive state of intense heat and eventually to a psychological state of wariness. It is a high-utility verb that bridges the gap between basic household tasks and complex emotional expressions. Whether you are preparing a 'chá escaldante' (scalding tea) or discussing a 'preço escaldante' (a price so high it burns), the underlying theme of extreme intensity remains constant.

Physical Sensation: The sensation of 'escaldar' is sharper than 'queimar' (to burn). While 'queimar' is general, 'escaldar' specifically evokes the wet, searing heat of liquids or steam.

Cuidado para não se escaldar com o vapor da panela de pressão.

In summary, 'escaldar' is your go-to verb for anything involving near-boiling liquids, whether you are being a careful chef, a cautious patient, or a wise observer of human behavior.

Using escaldar correctly depends on whether you are using it transitively (doing something to an object) or reflexively (something happening to you). As a regular -ar verb, its conjugation is straightforward, but its placement in a sentence requires attention to the direct object. For example, 'Eu escaldo os legumes' (I scald the vegetables) shows the verb acting directly on the food. If you are the victim of the heat, you must use the reflexive pronoun: 'Eu me escaldei com a sopa' (I scalded myself with the soup).

Transitive Usage: When you are the agent of the action, such as in cooking or cleaning. Example: 'A enfermeira escaldou os instrumentos' (The nurse sterilized the instruments with boiling water).

The verb is also frequently used as a participle/adjective: escaldado (masculine) or escaldada (feminine). This is where the figurative meaning often resides. 'Ele está escaldado com negócios imobiliários' means 'He is wary/once bitten regarding real estate business.' In this sense, 'escaldado' functions much like 'wary' or 'cautious' due to past failure.

Depois daquela mentira, ela ficou escaldada e não confia mais nele.

Another common structure involves the gerund 'escaldando' to describe something that is currently at a very high temperature. 'A água está escaldando' (The water is scalding hot). Note that in European Portuguese, you would more likely hear 'A água está a escaldar.' This continuous form is essential for warnings. When discussing weather, 'escaldar' often takes an impersonal form or refers to the sun: 'O sol escalda a pele dos turistas' (The sun pierces/scalds the tourists' skin). Here, it emphasizes the intensity of the radiation rather than actual boiling water.

Reflexive Usage: Used when the action is accidental and happens to the speaker or subject. 'Nós nos escaldamos naquelas termas' (We scalded ourselves in those hot springs).

Você precisa escaldar o bule antes de colocar o chá para manter a temperatura.

In more formal or literary contexts, 'escaldar' might describe a burning passion or a heated argument, though 'incendiar' or 'inflamar' are more common for those specific nuances. However, 'ânimos escaldados' (heated tempers) is a perfectly valid and common journalistic expression. By mastering these different structures—transitive for cooking, reflexive for accidents, and adjectival for psychological states—you can use 'escaldar' with the same versatility as a native speaker.

You will encounter escaldar in a variety of everyday Portuguese environments. The most frequent is undoubtedly the kitchen (a cozinha). Whether you're watching a cooking show on RTP or reading a recipe blog from Brazil, the instruction to 'escaldar' is a standard culinary technique. It’s used when making polvilho biscuits, preparing certain types of fish, or simply cleaning a thermos. If you visit a Portuguese home, you might hear a grandmother warn a child, 'Cuidado, que a sopa está a escaldar!' (Careful, the soup is scalding hot!).

In the Kitchen: Chefs use 'escaldar' to describe the quick immersion of food in boiling water to stop enzymatic processes or soften textures.

Another place you'll hear it is in a medical or first-aid context. In a pharmacy or hospital, a professional might ask if a burn was caused by fire or if you 'se escaldou' with a liquid. This distinction is important for treatment. Furthermore, in the context of wellness and spas, particularly in Brazil, 'escalda-pés' is a very common term for a relaxing foot bath. You’ll see this on the menus of luxury spas or as a suggestion in health magazines for relieving stress and improving circulation.

Nada melhor do que um escalda-pés com sal grosso depois de um dia longo de trabalho.

In the news and social commentary, the term 'ânimos escaldados' frequently appears when describing protests, political debates, or tense football matches. It vividly conveys the idea that people's emotions are at a 'boiling point.' If a journalist says 'O clima escaldou na assembleia,' they mean the situation became extremely heated and aggressive. You will also hear the word in the context of financial or social warnings. If someone says 'Eu já fui escaldado por aquele banco,' they are using the word in its figurative sense to mean they were 'burned' or cheated by that bank in the past. This is a very common way to express skepticism.

Social Context: People use 'escaldado' to explain why they are being overly cautious or cynical about a new opportunity.

O debate político escaldou quando o tema da corrupção foi mencionado.

Finally, in literature and fado music, 'escaldar' can appear to describe the burning sensation of tears or a searing look. It adds a layer of physical pain to emotional descriptions, making the imagery more visceral for the listener. By paying attention to these different settings—from the literal steam of a kitchen to the metaphorical heat of a parliament—you will begin to see how 'escaldar' is a vital part of the Portuguese linguistic landscape.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing escaldar with ferver (to boil). While they are related, they are not interchangeable. 'Ferver' is what the water does (the process of reaching 100°C and bubbling), while 'escaldar' is what you do *with* that water or what happens to someone who touches it. You wouldn't say 'Eu fervi a minha mão' if you spilled tea on it; you would say 'Eu me escaldei.' Conversely, you don't 'escaldar' the water in the kettle; you 'ferve' the water.

Escaldar vs. Ferver: Ferver = the liquid's internal state. Escaldar = the effect of the liquid on an external surface or ingredient.

Another common error is using 'queimar' for everything. While 'queimar' is the general word for 'to burn,' using 'escaldar' is more precise when hot liquids are involved. If you say 'me queimei com a água,' it’s correct, but 'me escaldei' sounds more native and descriptive of the specific accident.

Errado: A água está fervendo a minha pele. Correto: A água está escaldando a minha pele.

Learners also struggle with the reflexive usage. In English, we often say 'I scalded my hand.' In Portuguese, you must say 'Eu escaldei a mão' or 'Eu me escaldei na mão.' Forgetting the reflexive 'me/se/nos' when you are the one hurt is a classic A2-level mistake. In the metaphorical sense, don't confuse 'escaldado' with 'queimado.' While 'queimado' can mean 'burned' (like having a bad reputation), 'escaldado' specifically means being 'wary' or 'cautious' because of a past mistake. If you say 'Estou queimado com ele,' it means he is angry with you or your reputation is ruined with him. If you say 'Estou escaldado com ele,' it means you are careful around him because he tricked you before.

Escaldado vs. Queimado: Escaldado = Wary/Cautious (Internal state). Queimado = Bad reputation/In trouble (External perception).

Não confunda: 'Ele está escaldado' (He is cautious) com 'Ele está queimado' (He has a bad reputation).

Lastly, avoid overusing the word for dry heat. While 'sol escaldante' is a common phrase, you wouldn't typically 'escaldar' a piece of paper with a lighter; you would 'queimar' it. 'Escaldar' almost always implies some level of moisture (liquid, steam) or a pervasive, radiating heat like the sun. Keeping these distinctions in mind will help you sound much more natural and precise in your Portuguese conversations.

To truly master Portuguese, you need to know the siblings of escaldar. The most direct synonym in a culinary context is pelar. While 'escaldar' is the process of using hot water, 'pelar' is the result: to peel. Often, you 'escalda' a tomato *to* 'pelar' it. Another close relative is aferventar. This means to boil something quickly or partially. If a recipe says to 'aferventar as salsichas,' it means to put them in boiling water for a minute or two, which is very similar to 'escaldar,' though 'aferventar' usually implies the food stays in the water a bit longer.

Pelar: To remove the skin/peel. Often the goal of escaldar. 'Escaldei as amêndoas para as pelar.'

Aferventar: To parboil or quickly boil. Similar to escaldar but usually involves submerging for a short time rather than just pouring over.

For general heat, aquecer (to heat) is the neutral, safe alternative. It lacks the intensity of 'escaldar.' If you want to say something is very hot without using the 'scald' imagery, you can use pelando (slang/informal in Brazil) or a ferver (in Portugal). 'A sopa está pelando!' is a very common way to say the soup is burning hot.

Em vez de escaldar, você pode usar 'aferventar' se precisar cozinhar levemente o alimento.

In metaphorical terms, synonyms for 'estar escaldado' (being wary) include precavido (cautious), avisado (warned/wise), or desconfiado (suspicious). While 'escaldado' implies you learned from a *bad* experience, 'precavido' is just being generally careful. If you are talking about the sun's heat, alternatives include torrar (to toast) or queimar (to burn). 'O sol está a torrar' is a very common way to say the sun is baking hot.

Torrar: To toast or roast. Used for the sun's heat or coffee beans. 'Estamos a torrar aqui ao sol!'

O café estava pelando, por isso tive de esperar para beber.

Understanding these alternatives allows you to adjust your register and precision. Use 'escaldar' for that specific, searing, liquid-based heat or the wisdom gained from a 'burn,' and use the others for more general or slightly different culinary and atmospheric situations.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The English word 'scald' comes from the same Latin root via Old French 'eschauder'. So 'escaldar' and 'scald' are true cognates!

Pronunciation Guide

UK /iʃ.kaɫ.ˈdaɾ/

US /es.kaw.ˈdaʁ/

The stress is on the last syllable: escal-DAR.

Rhymes With

andar falar mar lugar olhar pensar chegar dar

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 's' as a hard 'z'.
Making the 'l' too clear in Brazilian Portuguese (it should be more like a 'w').
Over-pronouncing the initial 'e' in European Portuguese.
Forgetting the stress on the final syllable.
Confusing the 'r' sound between the two main dialects.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to its similarity to 'scald' and common usage in recipes.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of reflexive pronouns for accidental usage.

Speaking 3/5

The pronunciation of 'sc' and 'l' varies significantly between dialects.

Listening 2/5

Usually clear in context, especially in kitchens or weather reports.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

quente água queimar ferver pele

Learn Next

aferventar pelar precavido desconfiado calor

Advanced

incandescer deflagrar asfixiar torrar

Grammar to Know

Reflexive Verbs with Accidents

Eu me escaldei (I scalded myself).

European vs Brazilian Continuous

Está a escaldar (EU) vs Está escaldando (BR).

Participles as Adjectives

O leite escaldado (The scalded milk).

Preposition 'Com' with Causes

Escaldar-se com vapor.

Regular -ar Verb Conjugation

Eu escaldo, tu escaldas, ele escalda.

Examples by Level

Cuidado, a sopa está a escaldar!

Careful, the soup is scalding!

Present continuous (European style) using 'a' + infinitive.

Eu uso água quente para escaldar o bule.

I use hot water to scald the teapot.

Simple present 'uso' and infinitive 'escaldar'.

Não toque na água, ela vai te escaldar.

Don't touch the water, it will scald you.

Future construction with 'vai' + infinitive.

O café está muito quente, está escaldando.

The coffee is very hot, it's scalding.

Gerund 'escaldando' used as an adjective/state.

Preciso de água para escaldar estes tomates.

I need water to scald these tomatoes.

Infinitive 'escaldar' following 'para'.

Ela se escaldou com o chá quente.

She scalded herself with the hot tea.

Reflexive verb 'se escaldou' in the preterite.

O sol hoje está a escaldar.

The sun today is scalding.

Metaphorical use for weather.

Eles escaldam os pratos com água fervida.

They scald the plates with boiled water.

Third person plural present 'escaldam'.

Para tirar a pele, você deve escaldar os pêssegos.

To remove the skin, you must scald the peaches.

Modal verb 'deve' + infinitive.

Gato escaldado tem medo de água fria.

A scalded cat is afraid of cold water.

Famous proverb using the past participle as an adjective.

Eu me escaldei quando a panela virou.

I scalded myself when the pan tipped over.

Reflexive 'me escaldei' in the past.

Você já escaldou a farinha para o bolo?

Have you already scalded the flour for the cake?

Perfect tense question.

O leite escaldado é melhor para esta receita.

Scalded milk is better for this recipe.

Participle 'escaldado' modifying 'leite'.

Não beba agora, vai escaldar a sua língua.

Don't drink now, it will scald your tongue.

Future 'vai escaldar' with direct object 'língua'.

Nós escaldamos os vidros antes de fazer a geleia.

We scald the jars before making the jam.

First person plural present.

A água da torneira está escaldando hoje.

The tap water is scalding today.

Gerund usage in Brazil.

Estou escaldado com compras online em sites desconhecidos.

I am wary of online shopping on unknown sites.

Figurative use of 'escaldado' meaning 'once bitten, twice shy'.

O sol escaldante do deserto é perigoso.

The scalding desert sun is dangerous.

Adjective 'escaldante' modifying 'sol'.

Ela preparou um escalda-pés para relaxar.

She prepared a foot soak to relax.

Compound noun 'escalda-pés'.

Se você não tiver cuidado, vai se escaldar seriamente.

If you aren't careful, you will scald yourself seriously.

Conditional sentence with reflexive future.

O clima na reunião escaldou rapidamente.

The atmosphere in the meeting heated up quickly.

Metaphorical use for social tension.

Ele ficou escaldado depois de perder dinheiro na bolsa.

He became wary after losing money in the stock market.

State change with 'ficou' + participle.

É preciso escaldar a louça para garantir a higiene.

It is necessary to scald the dishes to ensure hygiene.

Impersonal expression 'é preciso' + infinitive.

O vapor escaldou o rosto do cozinheiro.

The steam scalded the cook's face.

Transitive use with 'vapor' as subject.

Os ânimos escaldados dificultaram o acordo de paz.

The heated tempers made the peace agreement difficult.

Metaphorical 'ânimos escaldados' as a noun phrase.

A notícia escaldou a opinião pública.

The news inflamed public opinion.

Transitive metaphorical use.

Ele falava com uma paixão escaldante.

He spoke with a scalding passion.

Adjective 'escaldante' used for emotion.

O metal estava a escaldar após horas ao sol.

The metal was scalding after hours in the sun.

Continuous aspect describing a physical state.

Fiquei escaldada com promessas políticas vazias.

I became wary of empty political promises.

First person feminine participle.

O café servido estava escaldante, impossível de beber.

The coffee served was scalding, impossible to drink.

Adjective 'escaldante' emphasizing intensity.

Escaldar as sementes pode ajudar na germinação.

Scalding the seeds can help with germination.

Gerund-like infinitive as a subject.

A areia da praia estava a escaldar os pés.

The beach sand was scalding the feet.

Continuous action with direct object 'os pés'.

A retórica escaldante do candidato inflamou a multidão.

The candidate's scalding rhetoric inflamed the crowd.

High-level vocabulary for political analysis.

Sentiu uma lágrima escaldante correr-lhe pela face.

He felt a scalding tear run down his face.

Literary use of 'escaldante' for emotional pain.

O setor imobiliário está escaldado pela crise anterior.

The real estate sector is wary due to the previous crisis.

Passive-like structure with participle.

O autor utiliza imagens de águas escaldantes para simbolizar o purgatório.

The author uses images of scalding waters to symbolize purgatory.

Academic/Literary analysis context.

A discussão escaldou a tal ponto que a polícia foi chamada.

The discussion heated up to the point that the police were called.

Compound result clause 'a tal ponto que'.

Nada como um escalda-pés de alfazema para curar a insónia.

Nothing like a lavender foot soak to cure insomnia.

Specific cultural/medicinal reference.

O solo escaldado pela seca não produzia nada.

The soil, parched/scalded by the drought, produced nothing.

Participle used to describe environmental damage.

Ele é um homem escaldado pela vida, pouco dado a otimismo.

He is a man hardened/wary by life, little given to optimism.

Metaphorical character description.

A prosa de Saramago, por vezes escaldante, desvela as misérias humanas.

Saramago's prose, at times searing, reveals human miseries.

Literary criticism register.

A injunção escaldou os ânimos já de si fragilizados pela recessão.

The injunction further inflamed tempers already weakened by the recession.

Complex sentence structure with subtle nuances.

O vate descreveu o amor como um fogo que escalda sem queimar.

The poet described love as a fire that scalds without burning.

Poetic paradox using 'escalda' vs 'queimar'.

A técnica de escaldar o mosto é fundamental na produção desta cerveja artesanal.

The technique of scalding the wort is fundamental in the production of this craft beer.

Technical/Industrial register.

Sinto o hálito escaldante da morte a rondar-me.

I feel the scalding breath of death lurking around me.

Personification and high-level metaphor.

A polêmica escaldou as redes sociais durante semanas.

The controversy set social media ablaze for weeks.

Modern metaphorical usage.

O mármore escaldava sob o sol inclemente do Mediterrâneo.

The marble was scalding under the inclement Mediterranean sun.

Imperfect tense for descriptive setting.

A experiência escaldou-o de tal forma que se tornou um eremita.

The experience scarred/wary-ed him in such a way that he became a hermit.

Pronominal placement (European style).

Common Collocations

Água a escaldar

Sol escaldante

Ânimos escaldados

Escaldar os tomates

Escaldar a farinha

Escalda-pés

Ficar escaldado

Escaldante de quente

Lágrimas escaldantes

Clima escaldante

Common Phrases

Cuidado para não se escaldar!

— A standard warning when someone is near hot liquids. It means 'Be careful not to scald yourself!'

A sopa acabou de sair do fogo. Cuidado para não se escaldar!

Está a escaldar!

— Used to describe anything that is extremely hot to the touch. It means 'It's scalding!'

Não pegues na caneca, está a escaldar!

Escaldar o bule

— A tea-making tradition of rinsing the pot with boiling water first. It means 'To scald the teapot.'

Sempre escaldo o bule antes de colocar as folhas de chá.

Preço escaldante

— A metaphorical way to say a price is extremely high. It means 'A scalding/burning price.'

As casas em Lisboa estão com preços escaldantes.

Escaldar as mãos

— To burn one's hands with liquid. It can be literal or figurative for getting into trouble.

Escaldei as mãos a lavar a loiça.

Notícia escaldante

— A piece of news that is very controversial or 'hot'. It means 'Scalding hot news.'

A revista traz uma notícia escaldante sobre o escândalo.

Escaldar a garganta

— To drink something so hot it burns your throat.

Bebi o café depressa e escaldei a garganta.

Estar escaldado com algo

— To be wary of something because of a past failure.

Estou escaldado com promessas de dinheiro fácil.

Verão escaldante

— A summer with exceptionally high temperatures.

Tivemos um verão escaldante no ano passado.

Escaldar o leite

— To heat milk until just before it boils.

É preciso escaldar o leite para fazer o pudim.

Often Confused With

escaldar vs Ferver

Ferver is what the liquid does; escaldar is what the liquid does to you or the food.

escaldar vs Queimar

Queimar is general (fire, sun, friction); escaldar is specifically for hot liquids/steam.

escaldar vs Pelar

Pelar is to remove the skin; escaldar is the method often used to achieve it.

Idioms & Expressions

"Gato escaldado tem medo de água fria"

— Someone who has been hurt once is twice as careful. Equivalent to 'Once bitten, twice shy'.

Ele não quer investir de novo; gato escaldado tem medo de água fria.

Common / Proverb

"Escaldar os pés"

— Literally a foot bath, but can imply getting into a difficult situation where you need to 'cool off'.

Depois da discussão, ele foi escaldar os pés para relaxar.

Colloquial

"Ânimos escaldados"

— A situation where people are very angry or excited.

O jogo de futebol terminou com ânimos escaldados entre os adeptos.

Journalistic

"Escaldar a língua"

— To burn one's tongue, but also used when someone says something they shouldn't have.

Ela escaldou a língua ao falar mal do chefe sem saber que ele estava atrás dela.

Informal

"Estar a escaldar"

— To be extremely hot (object or weather).

Não entres no carro agora, o interior está a escaldar.

General

"Escaldado da vida"

— Someone who has suffered a lot and is now cynical or very cautious.

Ele é um homem escaldado da vida, não acredita em ninguém.

Literary/Informal

"Deitar água escaldante"

— To make a situation even more tense or painful (similar to 'adding fuel to the fire').

O comentário dele só serviu para deitar água escaldante na briga.

Metaphorical

"Escaldar a vista"

— To see something so shocking or bright that it 'burns' the eyes.

Aquelas luzes de neon escaldam a vista.

Poetic/Informal

"Sair escaldado"

— To come out of a situation with a loss or a bad experience.

Ele saiu escaldado daquele negócio de criptomoedas.

Common

"Pôr em água escaldante"

— To put someone in a very difficult or high-pressure situation.

O interrogatório pôs o suspeito em água escaldante.

Informal

Easily Confused

escaldar vs Escalado

Sounds similar (missing one 'd').

Escalado means 'scaled' (like a mountain) or 'chosen' (for a team). Escaldado means 'scalded'.

Ele foi escalado para o jogo (He was chosen for the game) vs Ele está escaldado (He is wary).

escaldar vs Escaldão

Related noun.

In Portugal, 'escaldão' is specifically a sunburn. 'Escaldar' is the action.

Apanhei um escaldão na praia.

escaldar vs Caldo

Same root.

Caldo is 'broth' or 'soup'. Escaldar is the verb.

O caldo está a escaldar.

escaldar vs Escaldar vs Escaldante

Verb vs Adjective.

Escaldar is the action; Escaldante is the quality of being extremely hot.

A água escaldante pode escaldar a sua pele.

escaldar vs Gelar

Phonetically different but opposite meaning.

Gelar is to freeze. Escaldar is to heat intensely.

A água está a gelar vs A água está a escaldar.

Sentence Patterns

A [noun] está a escaldar.

A sopa está a escaldar.

Eu vou escaldar o/a [noun].

Eu vou escaldar o leite.

Eu me escaldei com [noun].

Eu me escaldei com a água da massa.

Estou escaldado com [noun/verb].

Estou escaldado com promessas.

O sol escaldante [verb].

O sol escaldante queimou a grama.

Os ânimos escaldaram quando [clause].

Os ânimos escaldaram quando ele mentiu.

[Noun] escaldante de [noun].

Uma lágrima escaldante de dor.

Escaldar-se de tal forma que [clause].

Escaldou-se de tal forma que nunca mais voltou.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High in cooking and weather contexts; Medium in metaphorical contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 'escaldar' for water in a kettle. → Ferver a água.
You 'ferve' (boil) the water, then you 'escalda' (scald) something with that water.
Saying 'Eu escaldei a mão' for an accident. → Eu me escaldei na mão.
Accidental actions on oneself require the reflexive pronoun.
Using 'escaldar' for a burn from a stove burner. → Queimar-se no fogão.
'Escaldar' is only for liquids and steam. Dry heat is 'queimar'.
Confusing 'escaldado' with 'queimado' (reputation). → Ele está queimado no trabalho.
'Queimado' means having a bad reputation. 'Escaldado' means being wary.
Pronouncing 'escaldar' with a hard 'd' in the middle. → Ensure the 'l' is dark or vocalized depending on the dialect.
The 'l' is a key part of the word's sound profile.

Tips

Cooking Tip

Use 'escaldar' when you want to remove the skin from tomatoes or almonds. Just 30 seconds in boiling water and then into cold water!

Warning Tip

If you hear 'Está a escaldar!', stop what you are doing. It's a high-level warning that something will cause a painful burn.

Proverb Tip

Use 'Gato escaldado...' when a friend is being overly cautious about a new date or job after a previous failure.

Reflexive Tip

Always remember the 'me' in 'Eu me escaldei'. Without it, the sentence sounds like you scalded someone else!

Wellness Tip

If you are in Brazil and feeling stressed, ask for an 'escalda-pés' at a spa. It's a wonderful cultural experience.

Stylistic Tip

In a story, use 'lágrimas escaldantes' to show that a character's grief is physically painful.

News Tip

When listening to political news, 'ânimos escaldados' is a key phrase to know when a debate has turned into an argument.

Climate Tip

Use 'sol escaldante' instead of 'sol quente' to emphasize how unbearable the heat is.

Travel Tip

In Portugal, remember that 'escaldão' is the word for the sunburn you'll get if you forget sunscreen.

Easy Recall

Just remember: Escaldar = E + Scald (English) + ar (Portuguese ending).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of an 'ESCALator' going straight into a 'CALDron' of hot water. ESCAL-DAR.

Visual Association

Imagine a cat (gato) jumping away from a steaming bowl of water, looking very suspicious. This links the word to the most common idiom.

Word Web

Água Ferver Queimar Cozinha Sol Pele Gato Medo

Challenge

Try to use 'escaldar' or 'escaldado' in three different ways today: once for food, once for the weather, and once for a feeling of caution.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'excaldare', which is composed of 'ex-' (out/thoroughly) and 'calidus' (hot).

Original meaning: To wash in hot water or to heat thoroughly.

Romance (Latin root shared with Spanish 'escaldar', French 'échauder', and Italian 'scottare' - though the Italian root is different, the concept is same).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'escaldado' to describe people; it can imply they are being overly cynical or 'damaged', so use it with empathy.

English speakers often just use 'burn' for everything. Learning 'escaldar' adds a layer of sophistication to your Portuguese that distinguishes you as an advanced learner.

The proverb 'Gato escaldado tem medo de água fria' appears in countless Portuguese literary works. Traditional recipes for 'Broa de Milho' (Cornbread) always list 'escaldar a farinha' as a step. Brazilian songs often mention 'sol escaldante' to describe the harsh reality of the Sertão (backlands).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Cooking

Escaldar os tomates
Escaldar a farinha
Água a escaldar
Escaldar o bule

Accidents

Eu me escaldei
Cuidado para não se escaldar
Queimadura por água a escaldar
Vapor escaldante

Weather

Sol escaldante
Verão escaldante
Tarde escaldante
O asfalto está a escaldar

Caution/Idioms

Gato escaldado tem medo de água fria
Estou escaldado com isso
Ele saiu escaldado
Ficar escaldado

Emotions/Social

Ânimos escaldados
Clima escaldante
Discussão escaldou
Paixão escaldante

Conversation Starters

"Você já se escaldou cozinhando alguma coisa?"

"O que você acha do sol escaldante do verão brasileiro?"

"Você é do tipo 'gato escaldado' ou gosta de arriscar?"

"Qual é o melhor chá para beber quando está a escaldar?"

"Você já fez um escalda-pés para relaxar?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva uma situação em que você ficou 'escaldado' e agora é mais cauteloso.

Escreva sobre um dia de verão com um sol escaldante e o que você fez para se refrescar.

Qual é a sua receita favorita que exige escaldar algum ingrediente?

Reflita sobre o provérbio 'Gato escaldado tem medo de água fria' na sua vida.

Imagine uma discussão que escaldou entre dois personagens e escreva o diálogo.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'escaldar' is specifically for burns caused by hot liquids, steam, or radiating heat like the sun. For fire, you should use 'queimar'.

It is a traditional therapeutic foot bath where you soak your feet in hot water, often with salt or herbs, to relax or treat a cold.

Yes, it is a regular -ar verb. It follows the same conjugation pattern as 'falar' or 'cantar'.

The equivalent is the proverb 'Gato escaldado tem medo de água fria'.

While understood, in Portugal it is more common to say 'o sol está a escaldar'. 'Escaldando' is the standard Brazilian gerund form.

Literally, yes. But figuratively, it means being wary, suspicious, or cautious because of a past bad experience.

'Escaldar' often involves pouring boiling water over something, while 'aferventar' usually involves putting the food into the boiling water for a very short time.

No, in Brazil, a sunburn is typically called 'queimadura de sol'. 'Escaldão' is a specific term used in Portugal.

Yes, phrases like 'ânimos escaldados' describe a situation where people are very angry or the atmosphere is tense.

It is milk that has been heated to just below the boiling point, often used in baking or to make it easier to digest.