How to Say "Spicy" in Japanese

辛い

karai[ka̠ɾa̠i]

The Japanese word for spicy is 辛い (karai).

辛い is an adjective used to describe food that provides a burning sensation, typically from chilies or other spices.

Meaning: providing a burning sensation due to chilies and other spices (adj)

Which one should you use?

While 辛い describes burning heat, the term 激辛 is used in informal contexts or slang to describe food that is extremely hot or super spicy.

To change the adjective 辛い into an adverb meaning 'spicily', replace the final -i with -ku to get 辛く.

karai

English speakers sometimes use 'spicy' to mean a food is highly seasoned or flavorful. In Japanese, 辛い specifically refers to the burning sensation.

The word 辛い can actually be pronounced as tsurai, but this version means 'painful' or 'bitter' rather than 'spicy'.
In Japan, some people use the term 辛い to describe the 'sharp' or 'pungent' taste of wasabi and mustard, not just chili heat.
The word 激辛 is so popular that it has spawned 'geki-kara' challenges in Japanese variety shows and specialized restaurants.

辛いから気をつけて。
It's spicy, so be careful.
This sentence is useful for giving a warning about the heat of food using 辛い.
Tatoeba #11140764 by small_snow, translation #11140844 by CK
気をつけて。辛いよ。
Be careful. It's spicy.
This sentence is useful for warning someone that something is spicy using 辛い.
Tatoeba #11140765 by small_snow, translation #5352067 by Hybrid
こんな辛いの食べられないよ。
I can't eat food this spicy.
This sentence is useful for expressing an inability to eat food that is this spicy using 辛い.
Tatoeba #11652392 by bunbuku, translation #6665711 by CK
このカレーは辛口ですね。(Kono karee wa karakuchi desu ne.)
This curry is spicy, isn't it?
このカレー、めっちゃ辛いよ！(Kono karee, meccha karai yo!)
This curry is really spicy!
7 more sentences on Tatoeba

Misaki and Hiroto are eating at a Thai restaurant.

美咲 Misaki

大翔君、この料理は辛いかな？
Hiroto-kun, kono ryouri wa karai kana?
Hiroto, do you think this dish is spicy?
大翔 Hiroto

うん、結構辛そうだよ。
Un, kekkou karasou da yo.
Yeah, it looks quite spicy.
美咲 Misaki

私は辛いものが食べたい気分なの。
Watashi wa karai mono ga tabetai kibun na no.
I'm in the mood for something spicy.
大翔 Hiroto

それなら、これを注文しよう。
Sorenara, kore o chuumon shiyou.
In that case, let's order this.

Sources

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