61236
In English, "warm" and "hot" are usually interchangeable when ordering a hot
drink. In my experience, "hot" is more frequently used.

I was corrected with 温かいコーヒー when asking for an 熱いコーヒー so I assume that my
statement was incorrect.

Thus, I am curious as to why 温かい is the preferred adjective for ordering a
"hot" beverage?
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-09-01T02:46:30.967
61233
2018-10-03T05:39:09.983
2018-10-03T05:39:09.983
11104
26635
question
nuances adjectives i-adjectives
Why is 温かい used instead of 熱い when ordering a hot drink?
One of the definitions for 温かい is "(pleasantly) hot".

Thus, requesting a beverage that is 熱い is akin to asking for an
"(unpleasantly) hot" drink.
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-09-01T03:08:14.253
61234
2018-10-03T05:38:10.573
2018-10-03T05:38:10.573
11104
26635
61233
answer
「熱い飲み物」 is used when we want to **emphasize** a drink's hotness.

「温かい飲み物」 is used for drinks that are **properly** hot.

My friend often says 「熱いお茶をください」 when she wants to emphasize its hotness.
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-09-01T04:35:50.780
61236
2018-10-03T05:23:30.707
2018-10-03T05:23:30.707
18189
7320
61233
answer
According to the dictionary:

熱い: When the temperature is excessively hot.  
暖かい: neither hot nor cold, a comfortable temperature.

あつい(熱い)温度が著しく高く感じられる。  
[https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/jn/4736/meaning/m1u/熱い/](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/jn/4736/meaning/m1u/%E7%86%B1%E3%81%84/)

あたたかい(暖かい／温かい)物が冷たくなく、また熱すぎもせず、程よい状態である。  
[https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/jn/4532/meaning/m1u/暖かい/](https://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/jn/4532/meaning/m1u/%E6%9A%96%E3%81%8B%E3%81%84/)
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-09-29T14:02:21.247
61852
2018-09-29T14:02:21.247
18157
61233
answer