How to say “Is this spicy?” in Portuguese

Introduction

Knowing how to ask if a dish is spicy is one of the most useful phrases when eating out in Brazil. This article explains the simplest, most natural ways to say and understand Is this spicy? in Brazilian Portuguese, plus common replies, useful vocabulary, and short dialogues for beginners.

Basic phrase: How to ask if something is spicy

The most direct way to ask Is this spicy? in Brazilian Portuguese is Isso é apimentado? This is clear, polite, and widely understood in restaurants, markets, and home situations.

Breakdown:

Isso — this (used for objects near you or just presented)

é — is (third-person singular of the verb ser, used for simple identification)

apimentado — spicy / peppery (adjective)

Alternative beginner-friendly phrases

You can use shorter or more casual variations depending on the context. The main phrase appears first and repeats later as Isso é apimentado?

Isso é picante? — picante is another common word for spicy, influenced by Spanish.

Tem pimenta? — literally Has pepper? Used to ask whether the dish contains chili peppers.

É muito picante? — Is it very spicy? Useful to gauge intensity.

Pronunciation tips for beginners

Focus on natural rhythm rather than perfect vowel detail. Pronounce Isso roughly like EE-su, é like eh, apimentado like ah-pee-men-TAH-do.

Intonation matters: raise your voice slightly at the end for a question. Practice saying Isso é apimentado? with a gentle upward tone.

Common replies you will hear

Waitstaff or friends might reply in several simple ways. Important replies use Brazilian Portuguese only.

Sim, é apimentado. — Yes, it is spicy.

Não, não é apimentado. — No, it is not spicy.

Um pouco. — A little.

Muito picante. — Very spicy.

Tem pimenta, mas não é muito forte. — It has chili, but it is not very strong.

Posso tirar a pimenta. — I can remove the chili. (Useful in restaurants.)

Useful vocabulary related to spice

Pimenta — chili pepper / pepper

Picante — spicy

Apimentado — spicy (adjective often used for food)

Ardente — burning / very hot (used for strong heat)

Suave — mild / gentle (useful to request less spice)

Molho — sauce (often used with spicy sauces)

Tempero — seasoning

Polite ways to ask and request adjustments

If you want to be polite in a restaurant, add a please or a softener. These phrases help when ordering.

Por favor, isso é apimentado? — Please, is this spicy?

É possível fazer sem pimenta? — Is it possible to make it without chili?

Pode colocar menos pimenta? — Can you put less chili?

Realistic short dialogues for beginners

These short dialogues show casual and restaurant situations. Line breaks are used within each example for clarity.

Restaurant situation:
Cliente: Por favor, isso é apimentado?
Garçom: Um pouco, mas dá para pedir sem pimenta.

Market or street food:
Vendedor: Quer com pimenta?
Cliente: Não, por favor. Não gosto de comida muito picante.

Home/host situation:
Anfitrião: Fiz com um molho especial. Quer provar?
Visitante: Posso provar um pouco? É apimentado?
Anfitrião: É levemente apimentado, mas se preferir eu tiro a pimenta.

Contextual examples you may see on menus and labels

Menus often use short words to indicate spice level. Recognize these to make quick decisions.

Picante — shown next to dish names meaning spicy.

Apimentado — often used in descriptions.

Sem pimenta — without chili.

Molho picante à parte — spicy sauce on the side.

Common mistakes beginners make

Avoid direct literal translations from English that sound unnatural. For example, asking How spicy is this? is fine, but Saying This is spicy? with English structure can confuse learners in Portuguese.

Don’t always use ser for temporary conditions; however, for spice the common phrasing Isso é apimentado? is natural and accepted. Avoid overcomplicating with complex verbs at the beginner stage.

Watch for false friends: pimenta usually means chili pepper, not black pepper. If you mean black pepper, say pimenta-do-reino.

Quick tips for travel and dining

If you are sensitive to heat, use sem pimenta or pouco picante when ordering. Those phrases are short and effective.

Carry a small translation card with Isso é apimentado? and Não pode colocar pimenta, por favor? for street markets where waitstaff may be very busy.

When trying new foods, ask for sauce on the side using molho à parte, por favor to control the spice level yourself.

Practice with variations

Once you feel comfortable, try slightly different structures to expand your conversational range. These maintain beginner-friendly grammar and vocabulary.

Essa comida é muito picante? — Is this food very spicy?

Tem pimenta nessa receita? — Is there chili in this recipe?

Você aguenta comida apimentada? — Can you handle spicy food? (Use with friends.)

Summary of essential phrases

Isso é apimentado? — Is this spicy?

Tem pimenta? — Does it have chili?

É muito picante? — Is it very spicy?

Sem pimenta, por favor. — Without chili, please.

Conclusion

Asking Is this spicy? in Brazilian Portuguese is simple and very useful. Start with Isso é apimentado?, learn a few replies like Um pouco and Sem pimenta, and practice the short dialogues. These quick phrases will make eating out in Brazil comfortable and enjoyable for any beginner learner.