French Conversation · Level 55
73 words
French word
épice
Pronunciation
IPA/epis/
Meaning
- feminine nounspice
Example
Cette épice donne du piquant au plat.
This spice adds a kick to the dish.
More examples
Cette épice est très aromatique.
This spice is very aromatic.
Core concept
A compact source of aroma or piquancy that transforms a dish without forming its main bulk.
Common phrases
épice aromatique
aromatic spice
épice en poudre
powdered spice
épice moulue
ground spice
Similar words
assaisonnement: A general seasoning used to balance and improve the taste of a dish.
condiment: A small amount of seasoning added directly to a dish for extra flavor.
arôme: A substance that gives food aroma or flavor.
herbe: A leaf or plant part used to add aroma to cooking.
Definition in French
Ingrédient aromatique, généralement concentré, employé en faible quantité pour donner du goût ou du piquant à un plat.
Word origin
Old French espice gave French épice, ultimately from Latin species, after the older general sense of a valued commodity became associated with aromatic culinary substances.
Usage tips
- In French, épice is broader than piment: épice can mean a spice generally, whereas piment refers specifically to a pepper such as chili.