Chinese word

热腾腾

Pronunciation

Pinyinrè téng téng

Meaning

  • adjectivepiping hot

Example

这碗汤还是热腾腾的，小心烫到。zhè wǎn tāng hái shì rè téng téng de xiǎo xīn tàng dào

This bowl of soup is still piping hot, so be careful not to burn yourself.

Illustration for 热腾腾 (piping hot)

More examples

寒冷的早晨，一杯热腾腾的豆浆让人暖和起来。hán lěng de zǎo chén yì bēi rè téng téng de dòu jiāng ràng rén nuǎn huo qǐ lái

On a cold morning, a cup of piping hot soy milk warms you up.

Core concept

Steam-like heat billowing upward from something just off the stove or out of a cup.

Common phrases

  • 热腾腾的豆浆rè téng téng de dòu jiāng

    piping hot soy milk

  • 热腾腾的汤圆rè téng téng de tāng yuán

    piping hot tangyuan

Similar words

热rè: Having a high temperature, in a general sense.
烫tàng: So hot to the touch that it may burn the skin.
热乎乎rè hū hū: Pleasantly warm to the touch, with a cozy and friendly feeling.

Definition in Chinese

用于强调物体特别热，并且常可见到蒸汽或热气上升，多用于形容刚做好的食物或热饮。yòng yú qiáng diào wù tǐ tè bié rè bìng qiě cháng kě jiàn dào zhēng qì huò rè qì shàng shēng duō yòng yú xíng róng gāng zuò hǎo de shí wù huò rè yǐn

Word origin

热 (rè, "hot") + 腾 (téng, "rise") uses repeated 腾 to suggest heat or steam rising in waves, giving the word its sense of piping-hot food or drink.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often use "hot" for many kinds of warmth, but this conversational adjective is especially natural for food and drinks that have just been served.

Other meanings

  • steaming hotadjective

Opposites

  • 冷冰冰lěng bīng bīngice-coldadjective
  • 冰凉bīng liángicy coldadjective

Word lists with this word