acılı
/a.d͡ʒɯˈɫɯ/
The English word "spicy" is translated into Turkish as acılı.
acılı is used to describe food that provides a burning sensation due to chilies and other spices. For example, you can say Biraz acı olsun to mean "Make it a little spicy", Acı var mı? to ask "Is there any spice?" or acı istemiyorum to say "I don't want it spicy". If you want food without this heat, you can use acısız, which means "without spice".
Meaning: providing a burning sensation due to chilies and other spices (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The adjective acılı is derived from the noun acı, which means "bitter" or "pain/sting".
Which one should you use?
While acılı specifically refers to the heat or burning sensation of chili, the word baharatlı is used to describe food that is heavily seasoned with various spices but not necessarily hot.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word acılı is formed by adding the derivational suffix -lı to the noun acı. This suffix turns the noun into an adjective meaning "with" or "containing" that quality.
How do you pronounce it?
acılı is pronounced /a.dʒɯˈɫɯ/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable. The sound /dʒ/ is like the [j] in "jump", and the sound /ɯ/ is somewhat like the [o] in "ribbon".
Did you know?
- In Turkish, if you describe a person as acılı, you are not saying they are 'spicy' but that they are 'grieving' or 'suffering'.
- The root acı also describes the taste of 'bitterness', meaning a single word covers chili heat, bitter flavors and physical pain.
- The suffix -lı in acılı is so versatile that it can turn almost any noun into an adjective meaning 'with' or 'containing', such as şekerli for 'with sugar'.
Examples in context
- Yemek acılı mı?Is the food spicy?
- Acılı turşuSpicy pickle
- Baharatlı çorbaSpicy soup
- Baharatlı pilavSpicy rice
- Acı sosSpicy sauce
- Çok acı!It's very spicy!
- Baharatlı kebapSpicy kebab
- Bu çorba biraz baharatlıThis soup is a bit spicy
- Acılı bir kebap istiyorum.I want a spicy kebab.
- Bu yemek çok acılı.This food is very spicy.
- Acılı bir sos ister misiniz?Do you want a spicy sauce?
- Acılı yemekleri çok severim.I love spicy foods.
Example conversation
Elif and Mehmet are ordering food at a restaurant.
- ElifBen acılı bir kebap istiyorum.I want a spicy kebab.
- MehmetSen acı yemek seversin.You like spicy food.
- ElifEvet, ben acılı yemeklere bayılırım.Yes, I adore spicy foods.
- MehmetO zaman ben de acılı seçeyim.Then I will choose the spicy one too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry acılı, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
