What does 热 mean in Chinese?

热 (rè) means "to warm up; to heat up; hot (of weather); heat; fervent" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 1.

How do you pronounce 热?

热 is pronounced "rè" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 4.

What HSK level is 热?

热 is an HSK 1 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 热?

Common words with 热 include 加热 (to heat), 伴热 (steam or heat tracing), 低热 (a low fever (up to 38°C)), 供热 (heat supply), 传热 (heat transfer).

How do you write 热?

You can practice writing 热 using our stroke order tool.

热 (rè), to warm up

热

rè

to warm up; to heat up; hot (of weather); heat

HSK 1verb

Traditional: 熱

Character Breakdown

Radical: 火 (no. 86)Traditional: 熱

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to warm up
to heat up
hot (of weather)
heat
fervent

Example Sentences

夏天很热。

Xiàtiān hěn rè

Summer is very hot

Words Containing 热

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
加热	jiā rè	to heat	HSK 5
伴热	bàn rè	steam or heat tracing
低热	dī rè	a low fever (up to 38°C)
供热	gōng rè	heat supply
传热	chuán rè	heat transfer

Related Words

酷暑(kù shǔ)· intense heat

→

和暖(hé nuǎn)· pleasantly warm (weather)

→

Grammar Notes

Adjectives with 很HSK 1

Subject + 很 + Adjective

The More...The More (越...越)HSK 4

Subject + 越 + V1/Adj1, 越 + V2/Adj2 OR Subject + 越来越 + Adj

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 1
HSK 2.0: HSK 1
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

热: HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 1 exam

Studying for HSK 1? Keep 热 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 1 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.