papas picantes
/papas pikantes/from spelling rules
The English phrase "spicy chips" is translated into Spanish as papas picantes.
This phrase refers to potato chips that have a hot or piquant flavor. It is important to note that while picante means spicy or hot, it specifically denotes a heat level that causes a stinging sensation rather than just a flavor profile containing many different spices like cumin or paprika.
Which one should you use?
The term picante focuses on the heat or sting of the food.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and Colombia, you might use papitas picantes to refer to spicy chips. In Mexico, the specific term chips picosos is also used. In Spain, the word for potatoes is patatas, so you would use patatas picantes instead of papas picantes.
Did you know?
- If you describe a person as picante instead of the chips, you are calling them 'spicy' in a flirtatious or provocative way.
- The word papas is an adaptation of the Quechua word papa. Because potato chips originated from the Andean potato, the term carries a deep indigenous linguistic history.
- In Mexico, the word picoso used in chips picosos comes from pico, meaning 'beak' or 'peak'. It evokes the sharp, stinging sensation of a chili pepper hitting the tongue like a point.
Examples in context
- Papas muy picantesVery spicy chips
- Patatas extremadamente picantesExtremely spicy chips
- Papitas increíblemente picantesIncredibly spicy chips
- Papas suavemente picantesMildly spicy chips
- Patatas moderadamente picantesModerately spicy chips
- ¿Cuáles son las mejores papas picantes?What are the best spicy chips?
- ¿Me recomendarías alguna papita picante?Can you recommend any spicy chips?
- ¿Algún sabor especial de frituras picantes?Any special flavors of spicy chips?
- Me encantan las papas picantes.I love spicy chips.
- ¿Quieres comprar unas papas picantes?Do you want to buy some spicy chips?
- No puedo comer estas papas picantes.I cannot eat these spicy chips.
Example conversation
María and Mateo are sitting on the sofa watching a movie.
- María¿Tienes hambre, Mateo?Are you hungry, Mateo?
- MateoSí, tengo ganas de unas papas picantes.Yes, I feel like having some spicy chips.
- MaríaYo también, voy por unas.Me too, I'll go get some.
- MateoGracias, eres muy amable.Thanks, you are very kind.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
