Koreans use it when food, drinks, or soup is very hot in temperature or when the weather is hot.
Yes. The polite form "뜨거워요 (tteugeowoyo)" is appropriate in restaurants. You can also say "너무 뜨거워요 (neomu tteugeowoyo)" for stronger emphasis.
You can say "It's too hot" — 너무 뜨거워요 (neomu tteugeowoyo) or "Please make it less hot" — 덜 뜨겁게 해주세요 (deol tteugeop-ge hae-ju-se-yo) to request adjustment.
뜨거워요 means "It's hot." 뜨겁다 (tteugeopda) = to be hot, 어요 (eoyo) = polite. Very common when food, drinks, or soup is very hot. Warning others about hot food shows care and consideration in Korean culture.
1. Hot food: Soup, stew, grilled food.
2. Hot drinks: Coffee, tea.
3. Care warning: Prevent burns, show consideration.
It's hot. Be careful eating.
Too hot. I'll wait to cool.
Hot! Careful! (Casual)
Tastes better when cooled a bit.
• 너무 뜨거워요 (neomu tteugeowoyo) - Too hot
• 조심하세요 (josimhaseyo) - Be careful
• 차갑습니다 (chagapseumnida) - It's cold (opposite)