Spanish word

ají

Pronunciation

IPA/aˈxi/

Meaning

  • masculine nounchile pepper

Example

Este ají es muy picante.

This chile pepper is very spicy.

Illustration for ají (chile pepper)

More examples

Me encanta la salsa de ají en las arepas.

I love chili sauce on arepas.

Core concept

Small spicy Capsicum fruit used to add heat to dishes and sauces.

Common phrases

  • salsa de ají

    chili sauce

  • ají en polvo

    chili powder

  • ají picante

    hot chili pepper

Similar words

chile: Spicy Capsicum fruit typically chopped or simmered into sauces and stews.
pimiento: Round, thick-fleshed Capsicum used sliced or diced in salads and stir-fries.

Definition in Spanish

Fruto comestible del Capsicum, de tamaño pequeño y con sabor picante, empleado para dar picor a platos y salsas.

Word origin

From Taíno ají meaning 'pepper', borrowed into Spanish via Caribbean Arawakan languages and spread across Latin America independently of the Nahuatl-derived chile.

Usage tips

  • Common phrases when ordering are 'sin ají' and 'poco ají' to request no or only a little heat, and the written accent on the í marks stress on the final syllable.

Related words

  • ajicerochili vendornoun
  • ajiacoajiaconoun

Word lists with this word