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温热 (wēn rè) — warm, tepid

Definition

A compound adjective for mildly warm, between cool and hot (lukewarm, tepid). More neutral than 炎热 ('scorching hot') and gentler than 温暖 ('warm and comforting') — focuses on temperature, not feeling.

adjective
warmtepid

Examples

  • 温热，。
    Zhè bēi shuǐ hái shì wēn rè de, kě yǐ hē.
    This cup of water is still warm; you can drink it.
  • 温热。
    Tā xǐ huan hē wēn rè de niú nǎi.
    He likes to drink warm milk.
  • 温热。
    Tiān qì jiàn jiàn biàn de wēn rè qǐ lái.
    The weather gradually became warm.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

温wēnwarm
热rèhot

温 and 热 both refer to warmth or heat, together giving a warm, tepid feeling.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 溫; 温 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 溫 is based on an older form 𥁕, which drew a person bathing in a container full of warm water. The simplified 温 is a later variant.

Open 温 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 熱; 热 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
灬Written in full as火huǒfire
Sound part声符shēngfú
埶
埶yì熱rè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 熱 pairs 埶 with 火 (written as 灬) to show heat, while 埶 gives a sound.

Open 热 →
Appears in
Climate & Seasons

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