die Hitze
heat
A state of very high temperature, especially in relation to the weather or fire.
EXAMPLE
Bei dieser Hitze im Sommer gehe ich am liebsten ins Schwimmbad.
In this summer heat, I prefer going to the swimming pool.
die Hitze
heat
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Meanings
die Hitze
heat
A state of great haste, excitement, or a strong feeling such as anger or passion.
EXAMPLE
In der Hitze des Gefechts hat er Dinge gesagt, die er später bereute.
In the heat of the moment, he said things he later regretted.
die Hitze
heat
The phase in which female mammals are ready to mate.
EXAMPLE
Unsere Katze ist gerade in der Hitze und miaut die ganze Nacht.
Our cat is in heat right now and meows all night.
Usage tips
Word family
'Die Hitze' (the heat) is the noun related to the adjective 'heiß' (hot). When something is very hot, people speak of 'großer Hitze' (great heat).
EXAMPLE
Die Suppe ist noch zu heiß, lass sie abkühlen.
The soup is still too hot; let it cool down.
Uncountable noun
When 'Hitze' (heat) describes the weather, it is usually used as an uncountable noun. People speak of 'großer Hitze' (great heat) or 'der Hitze' (the heat), but normally not of 'einer Hitze' (a heat).
EXAMPLE
Die extreme Hitze macht allen zu schaffen.
The extreme heat is making life difficult for everyone.
Typical collocations
Common adjectives used with 'Hitze' (heat) in connection with the weather are 'große' (great), 'extreme' (extreme), 'drückende' (oppressive), or 'unerträgliche' (unbearable) heat.
EXAMPLE
Morgen erwartet uns drückende Hitze mit hoher Luftfeuchtigkeit.
Tomorrow we can expect oppressive heat with high humidity.
Fixed expression
The expression 'in der Hitze des Gefechts' (in the heat of the battle/moment) is very common. It describes a situation full of stress or excitement in which someone acts or speaks without thinking.
EXAMPLE
Er hat sich entschuldigt; das war nur in der Hitze des Gefechts gesagt.
He apologized; that was only said in the heat of the moment.
Context clue
The meaning 'readiness to mate' is used exclusively in connection with animals. The context always makes clear what is meant here.
EXAMPLE
Der Tierarzt sagte, die Hündin sei in der Hitze.
The vet said the female dog was in heat.
Compare with
Hitze vs Temperatur
temperature
Temperatur is the measurable value used to indicate how warm or cold an environment is. Hitze, by contrast, refers to a state of very high temperature, especially in connection with the weather or a fire. Name a Temperatur when an exact measurement is important, and use Hitze when the intense warmth is the focus.
Hitze
Wegen der großen Hitze bleiben wir heute Nachmittag zu Hause.
Because of the intense heat, we are staying home this afternoon.
Temperatur
Die Temperatur im Büro beträgt heute thirty Grad Celsius.
The temperature in the office is thirty degrees Celsius today.
In real life
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