piment de Cayenne
/pi.mɑ̃ d(ə) ka.jɛn/
The English phrase 'cayenne pepper' is piment de Cayenne in French.
piment de Cayenne refers to the hot chilli pepper.
Meaning: hot chilli pepper (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the French-speaking Caribbean islands, you may hear piment antillais or piment des Antilles to refer to cayenne pepper.
How do you pronounce it?
/pi.mɑ̃ d(ə) ka.jɛn/
Did you know?
- The French language uses the word pimenter as a verb meaning to 'spice up' or make a situation more exciting.
- The name of the city Cayenne comes from the Vulgar Latin word caya meaning 'house'. Specifically, it referred to the navy barracks in the area.
- In French culinary contexts, piment can refer to both the fresh pod and the dried powder, whereas English often distinguishes between 'pepper' and 'paprika'.
Examples in context
- J'ai ajouté du poivre de Cayenne pour relever la saveur de ma sauceI added cayenne pepper to enhance the flavor of my sauce
- On met un peu de piment de Cayenne dans la soupe pour lui donner du piquantWe add a bit of cayenne pepper to the soup to give it some spiciness
- Ajoute un peu de piment de Cayenne.Add a little cayenne pepper.
- Le piment de Cayenne est très fort.Cayenne pepper is very strong.
- Tu as acheté du piment de Cayenne ?Did you buy some cayenne pepper?
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are preparing a spicy dish in the kitchen.
- GabrielManon, est-ce qu'il reste du piment de Cayenne ?Manon, is there any cayenne pepper left?
- ManonOui, il y en a dans le placard.Yes, there is some in the cupboard.
- GabrielParfait, j'en ai besoin pour la sauce.Perfect, I need it for the sauce.
- ManonN'en mets pas trop, Gabriel.Don't put too much in, Gabriel.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry piment de Cayenne, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Cayenne, cayenne, de, piment, CC BY-SA 4.0.
