حار
ḥārr/ħaːrr/Moroccan Arabic
The English word 'spicy' is translated into Arabic as حار (ḥārr). Wiktionary also lists حَار (ḥār) and حَرَّاق (ḥarrāʔ).
Meaning: providing a burning sensation due to chilies and other spices (adj)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| حار | ḥārr | /ħaːrr/ | Moroccan Arabic |
| حَار | ḥār | ||
| حَرَّاق | ḥarrāʔ | Egyptian Arabic |
حار is used to describe food that provides a burning sensation due to chilies and other spices.
Which one should you use?
The standard form حار can mean both 'spicy' and 'hot' in terms of temperature depending on the context.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the form حَرَّاق is commonly used to describe food that is very spicy or has a burning sensation. In Moroccan Arabic, the form حار is also used.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the noun being described is feminine, such as 'soup' (شوربة), the adjective changes to the feminine form حارة.
How do you pronounce it?
ḥārr
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often confuse 'spicy' (flavorful/spiced) with 'hot' (spicy/burning). In Arabic, حار is the standard way to express the burning sensation of chilies.
Did you know?
- In some regions, describing a person as حار (hot/spicy) can be used metaphorically to describe someone with a 'fiery' or very intense temperament.
- The word حار shares a common ancient root with the Hebrew word חריף, which also refers to things that are sharp, pungent, or spicy.
- The word حار is linked to the root for 'heat', which is also used to name the 'thermal springs' found in many Arabic-speaking regions.
Examples in context
- يرى توم بأن الطعام الذي تُعده ماري حار جدا.Tom thinks the food Mary makes is usually too spicy.This sentence shows how to describe food that is too spicy using حار.Tatoeba #6731236 by Safa_Alfulaij, translation #1092802 by CK
- الطعام حرّ شوية.The food is a little spicy.
- هاد الطاجين حار بزاف.had t-tajin har bezzaf.This tajine is very spicy.
Example conversation
Ziad and Nour are ordering food at a restaurant.
- زياد Ziadنور، واش هاد الصلصة حارة؟Nour, wash had sarsa haara?Nour, is this sauce spicy?
- نور Nourآه، حارة بزاف، رد بالك.Ah, haara bezzaf, redd balek.Yes, it is very spicy, be careful.
- زياد Ziadصافي، غادي نطلب شي حاجة أخرى.Safi, ghadi ntleb shi haja okhra.Okay, I will order something else.
- نور Nourمزيان، حيت ما كتحملش الحار.Mezyan, hit ma kat-hammelsh l-haar.Good, because you can't stand spicy food.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spicy” translations and entries حار, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries حار, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
