Japanese · Food & Drink
辛い
karai
Spicy / Hot (taste)
Intermediateadjective
Definition
Describes food that is spicy or pungent in flavor. Note that 辛い can also be read as つらい (tsurai) meaning "painful/difficult" — the kanji has two meanings.
Example
この料理は少し辛いです。
This dish is a little spicy.
Etymology
The word 辛い (karai) has its origins in the Old Japanese word meaning 'hot' or 'sharp.' It has evolved over time to refer specifically to spicy flavors in contemporary Japanese.
How & Where It’s Used
辛い (karai) is used in both informal and formal settings, frequently in culinary contexts and discussions regarding food preferences across all regions.