(からとう)

からとう
noun
lover of alcohol; lover of spicy food
personalityfoodalcoholpreference
1. a person who prefers alcohol to sweets; a drinker
traditionally, someone who enjoys drinking alcohol rather than eating sweet things
My grandfather is a drinker and has a drink every evening.
I prefer alcohol to sweets, so I don't eat many sweet things.
甘党(あまとう)辛党(からとう)()まったく(ちが)
People who prefer sweets and those who prefer alcohol have completely different tastes.
2. a person who loves spicy food
in modern usage, someone who enjoys spicy or hot-flavored foods
Since I love spicy food, I tried the super-spicy ramen.
I made spicy food for my friend who loves spicy things.
He loves spicy food, so he puts chili on everything.
This restaurant is a curry specialty shop popular with spicy food lovers.

Forms

(から) (spicy; sake-loving) + (とう) (party, group) → spicy/sake party

Original meaning

Historically, (から) in this context meant "not sweet" rather than "spicy." The word referred to people who preferred (さけ) (sake) over (あま)もの (sweets). This is why 辛党(からとう) was the opposite of 甘党(あまとう).

Modern shift

Today, many people interpret 辛党(からとう) as "spicy food lover" due to the common meaning of (から) (spicy). Both usages are now accepted.

Similar words

  • 甘党(あまとう) (sweet tooth) - prefers sweets
  • 辛党(からとう) (drinker/spice lover) - prefers alcohol or spicy food

Related words