Italian · Food & Drink
"Spicy" in Italian: piccante
piccante
Spicy in Italian is piccante (peek-KAHN-teh). Same form for masculine and feminine singular. Plural is piccanti.
Ordering pizza
Questa pizza è piccante: c'è peperoncino.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce piccante
Say it
peek-KAHN-teh
/pikˈkan.te/
Piccante stresses KAHN: peek-KAHN-teh. Double c = kk. Soft e ending.
"Spicy" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| piccante | spicy / hot Food heat. | Food heat. |
| troppo piccante | too spicy Warnings. | Warnings. |
| salsa piccante | spicy sauce Condiments. | Condiments. |
| un po' piccante | a bit spicy Mild heat. | Mild heat. |
How to use piccante in real life
- 1Ordering pizza
Questa pizza è piccante: c'è peperoncino.
This pizza is spicy: there's chili.
Piccante.
- 2Checking a dish
Il curry è troppo piccante per me.
The curry is too spicy for me.
Troppo piccante.
- 3Sauce choice
Vuoi la salsa piccante a parte?
Do you want the spicy sauce on the side?
Salsa piccante.
Mistakes English speakers make with piccante
Incorrect: La zuppa è spicy.
Correct: La zuppa è piccante.
Use piccante.
Incorrect: I peperoni sono piccanta.
Correct: I peperoni sono piccanti.
Plural: piccanti.
Good to know
Southern tables lean into piccante with peperoncino; northern menus often warn you. Asking è piccante? before ordering is smart traveler manners.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Sharing a plate at a trattoria
ChatPal
Questo ragù è piccante secondo te?
Is this ragù spicy in your opinion?
You
Un po' piccante, ma giusto.
A bit spicy, but just right.
ChatPal
Perfetto. Io non voglio niente di troppo piccante.
Perfect. I don't want anything too spicy.
You
Allora eviti il peperoncino extra.
Then skip the extra chili.
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 Italian
Gender forms?
Singular piccante for both; plural piccanti.
Too spicy?
Troppo piccante.
Spicy sauce?
Salsa piccante.
A bit spicy?
Un po' piccante.
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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