1.
to become warm; to heat up
Literally, to take on heat. Used for physical objects that become warm or hot.
パソコンが熱を帯びてきた。
The computer started heating up.
エンジンが熱を帯びている。
The engine is hot.
長時間使うとスマホが熱を帯びることがある。
If you use a smartphone for a long time, it can get hot.
2.
to get heated; to become passionate or intense
Figuratively, used when a discussion, debate, competition, or atmosphere becomes more intense, passionate, or emotionally charged.
議論が熱を帯びてきた。
The debate got heated.
選挙が近づくにつれ、運動が熱を帯びてきた。
As the election approached, the campaign heated up.
優勝をかけた試合は終盤に向けて熱を帯びていった。
The championship game grew more intense heading into the final stretch.
The figurative sense (heated discussion/atmosphere) is more common in everyday use than the literal physical sense.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 議論が熱を帯びる — the argument heats up
- 戦いが熱を帯びる — the battle intensifies
- 雰囲気が熱を帯びる — the atmosphere gets heated
RELATED WORDS:
- 白熱する — to become white-hot, intensify
- 盛り上がる — to get lively, heat up
- 帯びる — to carry, to take on (a quality)