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PhrasesTalking About WeatherChe caldo fa oggi!
A1informal

Che caldo fa oggi!

How hot it is today!

Pronunciation

'Caldo' — CAL-do. Stress on the first syllable. 'Fa' — short, unstressed. The exclamation mark matters — this is expressive.

When to use it

Use on hot days, especially in summer. In Italy, complaining about heat is a social ritual — particularly in the south and in humid Po Valley cities like Milan and Bologna.

What it means

In Italian weather expressions, 'fare' (to do/make) is the main verb: 'fa caldo' (it's hot), 'fa freddo' (it's cold), 'fa bello' (it's nice). You don't say 'è caldo' for weather — that would mean the object itself is hot. 'Fa' is impersonal, referring to the weather condition.

Variations

Si muore di caldo!

You'd die of the heat!

Very dramatic — very Italian. 'Morire di caldo' is standard hyperbole for hot weather

Questo caldo è insopportabile.

This heat is unbearable.

More measured — expresses genuine suffering rather than playful exaggeration

L'afa è terribile oggi.

The humidity is terrible today.

'Afa' = muggy heat — a very specific and dreaded Italian summer condition

Mini Dialogue

— Che caldo fa oggi! Quanti gradi saranno? — Il telefonino dice trentotto! — Trentotto?! Si muore! — Stai dentro con il condizionatore.

— How hot it is today! How many degrees must it be? — My phone says thirty-eight! — Thirty-eight?! You'd die! — Stay inside with the air conditioning.

Cultural Note

Italian summers, especially in the south and the Po Valley, can reach dangerous heat levels. The 'colpo di calore' (heat stroke) is a genuine medical concern. Italians take heat very seriously and routinely cancel outdoor activities when it exceeds 35°C.