canícula
Este año la canícula ha sido especialmente intensa.
This year the dog days of summer have been particularly intense.
The hottest period of the summer, typically occurring in July and August in the Northern Hemisphere.
En la canícula, es importante mantenerse hidratado.
During the dog days of summer, it's important to stay hydrated.
Originally derived from the Latin 'canicula' (little dog), referring to the star Sirius ('the Dog Star') which rises and sets with the sun during this period, believed to intensify the heat.
Collocations
Pro Tip
Avoid literal translation
Do not translate 'canícula' as 'canicule' (French) or assume it refers to dogs. The English equivalent is a fixed phrase describing the hottest summer days.
Gold Rule
Context matters
Use 'canícula' when referring to the climatological phenomenon of extreme summer heat, not for general hot weather or heatwaves outside this period.
Word Origin
From Latin 'canicula' (diminutive of 'canis' meaning 'dog'), referring to Sirius, the 'Dog Star,' which rises with the sun during the hottest days of summer in the Northern Hemisphere.
Usage Notes
The term is primarily used in meteorology and general conversation in Spanish-speaking regions. It does not refer to a specific calendar date but to the climatological period of peak summer heat.