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Fa un caldo boia

Grammar & Usage

fixed expression

informal, emphatic

How it works

The expression uses the verb 'fare' (to do/make) impersonally in the third person singular ('fa'), followed by the indefinite article 'un' and the noun 'caldo' (heat). 'Boia' (executioner) functions as an intensifier here, implying 'deadly' or 'terrible', making the heat extreme. It's a common idiomatic construction for weather.

Sample sentences

Oggi fa un caldo boia, non riesco a stare fuori.

Today it's scorching hot, I can't stay outside.

In agosto a Roma fa sempre un caldo boia.

In August in Rome, it's always extremely hot.

Non possiamo andare in spiaggia, fa un caldo boia e ci sono troppa gente.

We can't go to the beach, it's scorching hot and there are too many people.

Quick facts

idiomaticUse:'Boia' literally means 'executioner' or 'hangmen', but in this context, it's used as an informal, emphatic intensifier meaning 'terrible', 'deadly', or 'extreme'. This usage is common in Italian to exaggerate negative qualities, though it can sometimes be used for positive ones too (e.g., 'bello boia').

weatherExpression:Italian commonly uses the impersonal form of 'fare' (fa) for weather conditions, e.g., 'Fa freddo' (It's cold), 'Fa bel tempo' (The weather is good).

Often used with

Mnemonic

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Example

Oggi fa un caldo boia, non riesco a stare fuori.

Today it's scorching hot, I can't stay outside.

In agosto a Roma fa sempre un caldo boia.

In August in Rome, it's always extremely hot.