о́стрый
óstryj
The Russian word for spicy is о́стрый (óstryj).
The adjective о́стрый describes food that provides a burning sensation due to chilies or other spices.
Meaning: providing a burning sensation due to chilies and other spices (adj)
Which one should you use?
The word о́стрый is polysemous. It can mean 'spicy' regarding taste, but it also means 'sharp' in terms of a physical edge or intellect.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form of the adjective must match the gender and number of the noun it describes. Use the feminine form о́страя for feminine nouns like пицца, the neuter form о́строе for neuter nouns like блюдо and the plural form о́стрые for plural nouns like специи. The default form is о́стрый.
How do you pronounce it?
óstryj
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using о́стрый if you only mean that food is flavorful or aromatic. In Russian, о́стрый specifically refers to the burning heat of spices, while пикантный is used for pleasant, flavorful spiciness.
Did you know?
- The word о́стрый is used to describe 'acute' conditions in medicine, such as an о́стрый приступ or 'acute attack'.
- Russian uses о́стрый to describe a 'sharp' pain or a 'sharp' turn in the road, linking physical intensity to the sensation of heat in food.
- If you describe a person's wit or mind as о́стрый, you are complimenting them on being 'sharp' or 'keen' rather than talking about food.
Examples in context
- Острая пища нравится многим людям.Many people enjoy spicy food.
- Пряные добавки подчеркивают вкус блюд.Spicy additives enhance the taste of dishes.
- Этот соус очень пикантен.This sauce is very spicy.
- Этот плов из Крыма очень жгучий!This Crimean pilaf is very spicy!
- Я люблю варенье с острой ноткой.I like jam with a hint of spiciness.
- Я не люблю о́стрый перец.Ya ne lyublyu ostryy perets.I don't like spicy peppers.
Example conversation
Ekaterina and Dmitry are deciding what to order at an Indian restaurant.
- Екатерина EkaterinaДмитрий, ты хочешь о́стрый карри?Dmitriy, ty khochesh' ostryy karri?Dmitry, do you want spicy curry?
- Дмитрий DmitryНет, я не очень люблю о́стрые блюда.Net, ya ne ochen' lyublyu ostryye blyuda.No, I don't really like spicy dishes.
- Екатерина EkaterinaХорошо, тогда закажем что-то не о́строе.Khorosho, togda zakazhem chto-to ne ostroye.Okay, let's order something not spicy then.
- Дмитрий DmitryДа, это отличная идея.Da, eto otlichnaya ideya.Yes, that is a great idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spicy” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
