pimenta
/piˈmẽ.tɐ/
The Portuguese word for chilli is pimenta.
Pimenta is a broad term used for both spicy peppers and other spices such as black pepper. This differs from the English word 'chilli', which specifically refers to the spicy fruit.
Which one should you use?
While pimenta covers many types of spices and peppers, the term piri-piri is used specifically to refer to bird's eye chilli.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, the informal term piri-piri is used for bird's eye chilli. In Brazil, Angola and Mozambique, the term malagueta is primarily used. In Brazil, you will frequently see the term pimenta malagueta used to refer specifically to small, very hot-spicy peppers.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of pimenta is pimentas.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 3 syllables, with the stress on the second syllable: /piˈmẽ.tɐ/.
Did you know?
- While piri-piri is common in Portugal, the term is actually derived from the Swahili word 'pilipili', reflecting Portugal's historical trade links with East Africa.
- Brazilian folklore and folk medicine sometimes suggest that eating pimenta can ward off the 'evil eye' or bad luck.
- The word pimenta actually shares a common ancestor with the English word 'pigment'.
Examples in context
- Quando você adiciona pimenta na comida, ela fica mais picante.When you add chilli to the food, it becomes spicier.
- Vou adicionar um pouco de malagueta nesse molho.I'm going to add some chilli pepper to this sauce.
- Será que temos piri-piri para colocar nessa pizza?Do we have bird's eye chilli to put on this pizza?
- Eu gosto de pimenta no meu sanduíche.I like chilli in my sandwich.
- Esta pimenta é muito picante.This chilli is very spicy.
- Você pode comprar pimenta no mercado?Can you buy chilli at the market?
Example conversation
Mariana and Gabriel are cooking dinner together in the kitchen.
- MarianaGabriel, você quer colocar pimenta no molho?Gabriel, do you want to put chilli in the sauce?
- GabrielSim, eu adoro o sabor da pimenta.Yes, I love the flavor of chilli.
- MarianaTudo bem, eu vou adicionar um pouco.Alright, I will add a little bit.
- GabrielObrigado, Mariana, o jantar vai ficar ótimo.Thanks, Mariana, the dinner is going to be great.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pimenta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pimenta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
