Spanish word

picante

Pronunciation

IPA/piˈkante/

Meaning

  • adjectivespicy

Example

Esta sopa está demasiado picante.

This soup is too spicy.

Illustration for picante (spicy)

More examples

Me encanta la comida picante aunque a veces pica demasiado.

I love spicy food, although sometimes it's too spicy.

Core concept

Prickly burn from chili on the tongue.

Common phrases

  • comida picante

    spicy food

  • salsa picante

    spicy sauce

  • plato picante

    spicy dish

Similar words

picoso: Hot, chili-like sting that produces a strong, lingering mouth heat.
especiado: Full-bodied, spice-forward taste marked by fragrant, layered seasonings.
pungente: Biting, eye- or nose-stinging sharpness that feels very penetrating.

Definition in Spanish

Que causa picor o ardor por condimentos o especias, frecuente en salsas, guisos y aderezos.

Word origin

Derived from picar 'to prick or irritate' with the suffix -ante, a formation that denotes what causes that pricking sensation.

Usage tips

  • Speakers often state their personal impression when describing heat (for example, a mí me parece picante), so specifying poco, medio, or muy picante is common in conversation and ordering.

Other meanings

  • provocativeadjective

Opposites

  • insípidotastelessadjective
  • sosoblandadjective

Related words

  • picantísimoextremely spicyadjective

Word lists with this word