Translation guide
Describes food with a hot, pungent taste from chili peppers or other spices. Can also refer to something exciting or risqué.
Describing food that causes a burning sensation due to chili peppers or similar spices.
The most common word for spicy/hot food. Can also mean salty in some contexts, but primarily used for spicy heat.
This curry is very spicy.
Do you like spicy food?
Loanword from English, often used for complex spice blends or non-Asian dishes. Connotes aromatic spices more than pure heat.
This spicy chicken is exquisite.
Extremely spicy, often used on menus or product labels.
I tried the extremely spicy ramen.
Describing a sharp, nasal-clearing sensation from condiments like wasabi or mustard, distinct from chili heat.
Also used for wasabi, mustard, horseradish, etc. Context clarifies the type of spiciness.
The wasabi was so spicy it made my eyes water.
Onomatopoeic phrase describing the sharp, stinging sensation in the nose from wasabi or mustard.
This mustard really hits you, huh?
Describing something thrilling, provocative, or slightly scandalous.
Means stimulating or exciting, often used for experiences, stories, or appearances that are thrilling or provocative.
Her dress was very spicy (provocative).
Can be used metaphorically, similar to English, for something with a bit of an edge or excitement.
The word 辛い (からい) only refers to spicy/pungent taste, not temperature. For hot temperature, use 熱い (あつい) for objects/liquids or 暑い (あつい) for weather.
辛い is the general term for spicy heat or pungency. スパイシー implies a complex blend of spices, often in non-Japanese cuisine, and can sound more sophisticated or Western.
The novel became a hot topic because of its spicy content.
His jokes are always spicy (edgy).