1.
a person who prefers alcohol to sweets; a drinker
traditionally, someone who enjoys drinking alcohol rather than eating sweet things
2.
a person who loves spicy food
in modern usage, someone who enjoys spicy or hot-flavored foods
Forms
辛い (spicy; sake-loving) + 党 (party, group) → spicy/sake party
Original meaning
Historically, 辛い in this context meant "not sweet" rather than "spicy." The word referred to people who preferred 酒 (sake) over 甘いもの (sweets). This is why 辛党 was the opposite of 甘党.
Modern shift
Today, many people interpret 辛党 as "spicy food lover" due to the common meaning of 辛い (spicy). Both usages are now accepted.
Similar words
- 甘党 (sweet tooth) - prefers sweets
- 辛党 (drinker/spice lover) - prefers alcohol or spicy food