1.
piping hot; steaming hot
Extremely hot, especially of food or drinks that have just been cooked or heated. Emphasizes the pleasantly hot temperature.
熱々のラーメンを食べる。
To eat piping hot ramen.
寒い日には熱々のおでんが最高だ。
On cold days, steaming hot oden is the best.
揚げたての熱々のコロッケにかぶりついた。
I bit into a freshly fried, piping hot croquette.
2.
lovey-dovey; deeply in love; passionate (of a couple)
Describes a couple who are visibly and affectionately in love, often to the point of making others uncomfortable.
熱々のカップル。
A lovey-dovey couple.
新婚の二人はまだ熱々だ。
The newlywed couple is still lovey-dovey.
彼らはいつも熱々で、見ているこちらが恥ずかしくなる。
They are always so lovey-dovey that it's embarrassing just watching them.
A reduplication of 熱い (hot). Functions as a な-adjective or noun modifier. The two senses are quite distinct: one describes temperature, the other romantic intensity.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 熱々の料理: piping hot food
- 熱々のうちに食べる: to eat while it's still hot
- 熱々のカップル: a lovey-dovey couple
- 熱々ぶり: lovey-dovey behavior
USAGE:
Sense 1 is casual and warm, often appearing in food writing, restaurant descriptions, and everyday conversation. Sense 2 is lighthearted and sometimes teasing, used when observing or commenting on an affectionate couple. Both senses carry a positive or playful tone.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 熱い: hot — the base adjective; 熱々 intensifies and adds a cozy, appealing quality
- ラブラブ: lovey-dovey (loanword) — casual equivalent of sense 2
- 出来たて: freshly made — describes food just prepared, but doesn't emphasize temperature