Not too spicy, please
in SpanishNo muy picante, por favor
/no mwee pee-KAHN-teh, por fah-VOR/
This is the most direct and standard translation. It works in any Spanish-speaking country and clearly communicates that you want some flavor, but not an overwhelming amount of heat.
Using a hand gesture for 'un poquito' (a little bit) helps reinforce your verbal request for mild food.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Que no pique mucho, por favor
/keh no PEE-keh MOO-choh, por fah-VOR/
Focuses on the action of the spice 'biting' or 'stinging' (picar). Very natural way to order food.
Sin picante, por favor
/seen pee-KAHN-teh, por fah-VOR/
Means 'without spice' or 'mild.' This is the safest bet if you have zero tolerance for heat.
Poco picante
/POH-koh pee-KAHN-teh/
Literally 'little spicy.' It's a quick way to request a mild version.
¿Pica mucho?
/PEE-kah MOO-choh?/
Means 'Does it sting/burn much?' A crucial question to ask before ordering.
Con la salsa aparte, por favor
/kohn lah SAHL-sah ah-PAR-teh/
Means 'with the sauce on the side.' This gives you total control over the heat level.
Soy sensible al picante
/soy sen-SEE-bleh al pee-KAHN-teh/
Explains 'I am sensitive to spice.' Helpful if you have a medical reason or very low tolerance.
Bajo de picante
/BAH-hoh deh pee-KAHN-teh/
Means 'low on spice.' Sounds a bit more like a menu description than a natural request.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right phrase depends on your tolerance level and where you are eating.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| No muy picante | Neutral | General ordering; you want flavor but low heat | You have a severe allergy to chili |
| Sin picante | Neutral | Zero tolerance; sensitive stomachs; kids | You actually want a little bit of traditional flavor |
| Salsa aparte | Neutral | Tacos, street food, controlling your own heat | The dish is a stew or curry (can't separate sauce) |
📈Difficulty Level
Easy to pronounce, just remember the 'e' at the end of 'picante' is pronounced like 'eh' (as in pet), not silent.
Very simple structure: No + adverb + adjective.
The difficulty isn't saying the words, it's understanding the local definition of 'spicy.'
Key Challenges:
- Distinguishing 'caliente' vs 'picante'
- Navigating regional spice tolerances
💡Examples in Action
Quiero los tacos de pollo, pero no muy picantes, por favor.
I want the chicken tacos, but not too spicy, please.
¿Esta salsa pica mucho? Es que no como mucho picante.
Is this sauce very hot? It's just that I don't eat much spice.
Por favor, ponle la salsa aparte para que no pique.
Please put the sauce on the side so it isn't spicy.
🌍Cultural Context
The Subjectivity of 'Spicy'
In countries like Mexico, 'no pica' (it's not spicy) is often a relative term. To a local, a salsa made with three serrano peppers might be mild, but to a visitor, it could be fire. Always be skeptical when a local says something 'doesn't bite' (no pica).
Caliente vs. Picante
In English, we use 'hot' for both temperature and spice level. In Spanish, these are totally different words. Use 'caliente' if the soup burns your tongue because it just came off the stove. Use 'picante' if the peppers are burning your mouth.
The Regional Divide
While Mexico and parts of Central America love heat, many Spanish-speaking countries (like Argentina, Spain, Chile, and Colombia) generally eat very mild food. In these places, you rarely need to worry about hidden spice, and asking for something 'picante' might actually get you a bottle of Tabasco rather than a fresh chili salsa.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Caliente' for Spicy
Mistake: "Saying 'No muy caliente' when you mean not spicy."
Correction: No muy picante.
Using 'Spicy' as a Spanglish word
Mistake: "Saying 'No spicy, por favor.'"
Correction: No picante, por favor.
Trusting 'Poquito'
Mistake: "Believing the waiter when they say it's only 'un poquito' (a little bit) spicy."
Correction: Ask for a sample or sauce on the side.
💡Pro Tips
The 'Side Sauce' Strategy
The absolute best way to control spice is to ask for 'salsa aparte' (sauce on the side). This allows you to dip a fork tine in and test the heat before committing your entire meal to the fire.
Look for the Color
As a general rule of thumb in Mexico (though not 100% accurate), green salsas *tend* to be milder than red or orange salsas. However, habanero salsas are often orange or green and are extremely hot, so always ask first.
🗺️Regional Variations
Mexico
The world capital of spice. 'No pica' usually means 'it is spicy, but manageable for a local.' Always use the 'salsa aparte' trick here.
Spain
Traditional Spanish food is rarely spicy. 'Picante' usually refers to 'pimentón picante' (paprika) or garlic heat. You rarely need to specify this here.
Argentina & Uruguay
Palates here are generally very sensitive to spice. Pepper (black pepper) is often the spiciest thing on the table. You are safe here.
💬What Comes Next?
The waiter warns you it might be spicy
La salsa roja pica bastante.
The red sauce is quite spicy.
Entonces tráemela aparte, por favor.
Then bring it to me on the side, please.
You try it and it's too hot
¿Está muy picante?
Is it too spicy?
Sí, ¡me enchilé! ¿Me traes agua?
Yes, I'm burning up! Can you bring me water?
🧠Memory Tricks
Imagine you 'pick an ant' up and it bites you. 'Picante' foods bite your tongue just like an ant would. Also, the verb 'picar' means both 'to be spicy' and 'to sting/bite' (like an insect).
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is the linguistic separation of temperature heat (caliente) and flavor heat (picante). English speakers often conflate these, leading to confusion. Also, Spanish culture treats spice as a noun/verb ('tiene picante' / 'pica') more often than just an adjective.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: Can mean temperature or spice in English.
Use instead: Use 'caliente' for temperature (coffee), 'picante' for spice (chili).
Why it's different: In English, this is the vegetable or the spice. In Spanish, 'pimienta' is black pepper (spice), while 'pimiento/chile/ají' is the vegetable.
Use instead: Don't ask for 'pimienta' if you want chili peppers.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to order water in Spanish
Essential for putting out the fire if you accidentally eat something too spicy!
How to say delicious in Spanish
To compliment the chef once you find the right spice level.
How to ask for the bill in Spanish
The logical conclusion to your dining experience.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: Not too spicy, please
Question 1 of 3
You are served a soup that is boiling hot temperature-wise. How do you describe it?
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I accidentally eat something too spicy?
You can say '¡Me enchilé!' (in Mexico) which means 'I got chili-burned.' Ask for milk ('leche') or bread ('pan'), as water often spreads the oils and makes the burning sensation worse.
Is 'picante' used in Spain?
Yes, the word exists and is understood, but it's rarely needed for ordering food because Spanish cuisine is generally not spicy. If you ask for something 'picante' in Spain, they might bring you Tabasco sauce.
How do I ask for medium spice?
You can say 'medio picante' or 'un poco picante' (a little spicy). However, 'medium' is subjective. It's safer to ask for the sauce on the side and mix it yourself.
What is the difference between 'chile', 'ají', and 'guindilla'?
They all mean chili pepper, but vary by region. 'Chile' is used in Mexico/Central America, 'ají' in South America/Caribbean, and 'guindilla' is often used in Spain for small hot peppers.
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