épicé
/e.pi.se/
Spicy in French is translated as épicé.
The term épicé is used to describe food that provides a burning sensation due to the presence of chilies or other spices.
Meaning: providing a burning sensation due to chilies and other spices (adj)
Which one should you use?
While épicé specifically refers to the presence of spices or heat, you might use relevé to describe food that is well-seasoned or has a strong, pleasant flavor without necessarily being hot.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective épicé must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Use the feminine form épicée for feminine nouns, the masculine plural form épicés for masculine plural nouns and the feminine plural form épicées for feminine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has three syllables and is pronounced /e.pi.se/.
Did you know?
- The English word 'grocery' comes from the same root as épicé, as both derive from the Old French épice meaning 'spice'.
- Historically, spices were so valuable in France that the épicier or spice merchant was one of the most prestigious trades in a town.
- While épicé describes the heat of the food, French speakers often use the word piquant to describe the physical stinging sensation of a chili on the tongue.
Examples in context
- C'est trop épicé ?Is it too spicy?This example is useful for asking if something is too épicé.Tatoeba #13391079 by lbdx, translation #6696077 by CK
- Ce n'est pas trop épicé ?It's not too spicy?This example is useful for confirming if something is not too épicé.Tatoeba #5290048 by Blabla, translation #6695393 by Eccles17
- J'aime la cuisine épicée.I like spicy food.This example is useful for expressing a preference for épicée cuisine.Tatoeba #9704470 by lbdx, translation #8825441 by CK
- Le plat est piquant.The dish is spicy.
- La sauce a un goût piquant.The sauce has a spicy taste.
- Ce repas est très épicé.This meal is very spicy.
- J'adore les plats épicés.I love spicy dishes.
- Ce plat est vraiment fort !This dish is really spicy!
- Attention, c'est fort !Careful, it's hot!
- Ce plat est piquant comme il faut.This dish is just the right amount of spicy.
- Ce plat est relevé grâce aux piments rouges.This dish is spicy thanks to the red peppers.
- Quel plat épicé me recommandez-vous ?Which spicy dish do you recommend?
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are at a restaurant looking at the menu.
- GabrielEst-ce que ce plat est épicé ?Is this dish spicy?
- ManonOui, il est un peu épicé.Yes, it is a little spicy.
- GabrielManon, tu aimes quand c'est épicé ?Manon, do you like it when it's spicy?
- ManonOui, j'adore la cuisine épicée !Yes, I love spicy food!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry épicé, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries épicé, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
