French · Food & Drink
"Spicy" in French: épicé(e) / piquant(e)
épicé(e) / piquant(e)
Spicy in French is often épicé (m) / épicée (f) or piquant / piquante. C'est trop épicé means it's too spicy. Piquant stresses the heat/bite.
Restaurant
Ce curry est trop épicé pour moi.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce épicé(e) / piquant(e)
Say it
ay-pee-SAY / pee-KAHN
/e.pi.se/ /pi.kɑ̃/
Épicé: ay-pee-SAY. Piquant: pee-KAHN (nasal).
"Spicy" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| épicé / épicée | spicy / spiced Seasoned heat. | Seasoned heat. |
| piquant / piquante | spicy / hot / sharp Bite and heat. | Bite and heat. |
| trop épicé | too spicy Complaint. | Complaint. |
| doux / mild | mild Opposite request. | Opposite request. |
How to use épicé(e) / piquant(e) in real life
- 1Restaurant
Ce curry est trop épicé pour moi.
This curry is too spicy for me.
Épicé.
- 2Cooking
La sauce est bien piquante.
The sauce is nicely spicy.
Piquante feminine.
- 3Warning
Attention, les piments sont épicés.
Careful — the chilies are spicy.
Épicés plural.
Mistakes English speakers make with épicé(e) / piquant(e)
Incorrect: C'est spicy.
Correct: C'est épicé. / C'est piquant.
Use épicé or piquant.
Incorrect: Une sauce épicé.
Correct: Une sauce épicée.
Feminine agreement: épicée.
Good to know
French "spicy" ranges from herbes to chili heat — say piquant or fort if you mean chili burn. Many bistros offer versions douces. Épicé can also just mean well-seasoned.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Ordering Thai food
ChatPal
Tu veux épicé ou doux ?
Do you want spicy or mild?
You
Un peu épicé, pas trop.
A little spicy, not too much.
ChatPal
OK, niveau deux sur cinq.
OK, level two out of five.
You
Parfait.
Perfect.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Spicy" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Spicy" in French
How do you say spicy in French?
Épicé / épicée or piquant / piquante.
Épicé vs piquant?
Both work; piquant often stresses heat/bite.
How do you say too spicy?
Trop épicé / trop piquant.
How do you pronounce épicé?
ay-pee-SAY.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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