pikant
piquant
Spicy and often somewhat hot, especially when describing the taste of food.
EXAMPLE
Die pikante Soße passt gut zu gegrilltem Gemüse.
The piquant sauce goes well with grilled vegetables.
pikant
piquant
pikant – pikanter – am pikantesten
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Meanings
pikant
salacious
Suggestive or offensive, and therefore exciting or interesting to some people.
EXAMPLE
Die Zeitung veröffentlichte pikante Einzelheiten über den Skandal.
The newspaper published salacious details about the scandal.
pikant
sensitive
Delicate or explosive because a matter could become uncomfortable or embarrassing for those involved.
EXAMPLE
Die pikante Situation wurde durch seine unbedachte Bemerkung noch schwieriger.
The sensitive situation became even more difficult because of his thoughtless remark.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry pikant, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | pikant |
|---|---|
| comparative | pikanter |
| superlative | am pikantesten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to pikant.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to pikant.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to pikant.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
When describing food, 'pikant' (piquant) often appears with words such as 'Soße' (sauce), 'Suppe' (soup), 'Gewürze' (spices), or 'Gericht' (dish). It usually describes strong seasoning and, depending on the dish, can also include a certain amount of heat.
EXAMPLE
Das pikante Curry wurde mit frischen Kräutern verfeinert.
The piquant curry was refined with fresh herbs.
Journalistic reporting
In this sense, 'pikant' (salacious) often describes information, details, photos, or revelations about private or scandalous matters. This usage is especially common in journalistic texts.
EXAMPLE
Der Bericht enthielt pikante Details aus dem Privatleben des Schauspielers.
The report contained salacious details from the actor's private life.
Sensitive situation
When used with a situation, question, or negotiation, 'pikant' (sensitive) points to a particular problem or unpleasant tension. The adjective is often used when several interests or personal relationships are involved.
EXAMPLE
Die pikante Frage brachte die Gesprächsteilnehmer sichtbar in Verlegenheit.
The sensitive question visibly embarrassed the participants in the conversation.
In real life
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