alitas picantes
/alitas pikantes/from spelling rules
The English phrase "hot wings" is translated into Spanish as alitas picantes.
You can use alitas picantes to refer to hot wings. If you wish to be more specific about the meat, you can say alitas de pollo picantes (spicy chicken wings). Additionally, alitas picantes estilo Buffalo is used to mean Buffalo-style hot wings.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of alitas, which is the diminutive of alas (wings) and picantes (spicy/hot).
Which one should you use?
In Spanish, the word picante refers to the spicy heat of the sauce. If you were to say alitas calientes, it would literally mean hot wings in terms of temperature (warm to the touch).
Did you know?
- The word picante comes from the verb picar, which can mean both 'to sting' and 'to peck' like a bird, creating an unintentional linguistic link to the chicken wing.
- While picantes describes the heat, some regions use picoso instead, a term common in Mexico that specifically describes the stinging sensation of a chili pepper.
- In Spain, you might encounter alitas de pollo served with 'salsa brava', a specific type of spicy sauce that is a cultural staple in many tapas bars.
Examples in context
- Me encantan las alitas picantes.I love hot wings.
- No puedo resistir las alitas de pollo picantes.I can't resist spicy chicken wings.
- Quisiera unas alitas picosas, por favor.I would like some hot wings, please.
- ¿Tienen alitas de pollo bien calientes?Do you have really hot chicken wings?
- Para mí, unas alitas de pollo bien picantes, por favor.For me, some very spicy chicken wings, please.
- Quiero comer alitas picantes.I want to eat hot wings.
- Las alitas picantes son muy buenas.The hot wings are very good.
- Pedí alitas picantes para la cena.I ordered hot wings for dinner.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are deciding what to order for dinner.
- Daniel¿Quieres pedir alitas picantes?Do you want to order hot wings?
- MaríaSí, me encantan las alitas picantes.Yes, I love hot wings.
- DanielPerfecto, las pediré ahora.Perfect, I will order them now.
- MaríaGracias, Daniel.Thanks, Daniel.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
