pollo picante
/poʝo pikante/from spelling rules
The English phrase "spicy chicken" is translated into Spanish as pollo picante.
Chicken that has been prepared with spices or seasonings that give it a hot taste.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of pollo (chicken) and picante (spicy/hot).
Which one should you use?
In Spanish, picante refers specifically to the heat or pungency of spices, whereas especiado refers to chicken that is highly seasoned but not necessarily hot.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, both the noun and the adjective must take the plural suffix -s (pollos picantes).
Did you know?
- While picante describes the heat of the chicken, using the word picante to describe a person's personality or a comment means they are 'spicy' in a provocative or suggestive way.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, you might see pollo picante on a menu, but if a dish is truly fiery, it may be described as muy picoso instead. This variation is particularly common in Mexico.
- The word picante comes from the verb picar, which means 'to sting' or 'to peck'. This describes the sensation of chili heat as a series of tiny stings on the tongue.
Examples in context
- Hola, me gustaría ordenar un plato de pollo picante, por favor.Hello, I would like to order a plate of spicy chicken, please.
- En el menú, ¿tienen alguna opción de pollo condimentado?On the menu, do you have any options for spiced chicken?
- Me gusta mucho el pollo picante.I like spicy chicken a lot.
- ¿Quieres probar este pollo picante?Do you want to try this spicy chicken?
- El pollo picante está muy rico.The spicy chicken is very delicious.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are ordering food at a restaurant.
- DanielElena, ¿qué vas a pedir?Elena, what are you going to order?
- ElenaQuiero el pollo picante, por favor.I want the spicy chicken, please.
- DanielA mí también me encanta el pollo picante.I also love spicy chicken.
- ElenaEntonces pedimos lo mismo.Then let's order the same thing.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries picante, pollo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
