Hey seafood lovers! Ever wondered how to say “shrimp” when you’re ordering at that fancy French restaurant or planning your next trip to Paris? Well I’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about shrimp in French cuisine and language.
The Basic Translation: Shrimp = La Crevette
In French, the word for shrimp is “la crevette” (pronounced as “lah kruh-vet”) Pretty simple, right? But here’s where it gets interesting
- Singular form: une crevette (a shrimp)
- Plural form: les crevettes (shrimps)
- Small shrimp: crevette grise
- Large shrimp/prawn: grosse crevette or crevette royale
Common French Phrases Using “Crevette”
When you’re navigating French menus or recipes, here are some useful phrases you’ll often encounter:
- Crevettes grillées – Grilled shrimp
- Crevettes sautées – Sautéed shrimp
- Cocktail de crevettes – Shrimp cocktail
- Crevettes à l’ail – Garlic shrimp
- Salade de crevettes – Shrimp salad
French Shrimp Dishes You Should Know
We’ve put together some popular French dishes featuring our favorite crustacean
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Crevettes à la Provençale
- Classic French preparation with tomatoes, garlic, and herbs
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Bisque de Crevettes
- Rich, creamy shrimp soup
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Crevettes Flambées au Cognac
- Shrimp flambéed with cognac (totally fancy!)
Size Classifications in French
French cuisine is pretty specific about shrimp sizes. Here’s how they classify them:
| French Term | English Equivalent | Size (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Micro crevettes | Tiny shrimp | Under 1 inch |
| Petites crevettes | Small shrimp | 1-2 inches |
| Crevettes moyennes | Medium shrimp | 2-3 inches |
| Grosses crevettes | Large shrimp | 3-4 inches |
| Crevettes géantes | Jumbo shrimp | 4+ inches |
Shopping for Shrimp in France
When you’re at a French market or supermarket, you’ll typically find shrimp sold as:
- Crevettes crues (raw shrimp)
- Crevettes cuites (cooked shrimp)
- Crevettes surgelées (frozen shrimp)
- Crevettes décortiquées (peeled shrimp)
Fun Cultural Tips
Ya know what’s funny? In France, they don’t really use the term “shrimp” as an insult like we do in English! Instead, they might call someone “une petite crevette” as a term of endearment for a small child. How cute is that?
Cooking Terms You’ll Need
If you’re following French recipes, here are some essential cooking terms:
- Décortiquer – To peel
- Dévéiner – To devein
- Faire revenir – To sauté
- Faire griller – To grill
- Pocher – To poach
Quick Pro Tips
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When ordering in France, remember that “crevettes roses” are typically cold water shrimp, while “crevettes grises” are from warmer waters.
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If you’re cooking French-style shrimp at home, don’t forget the classic herb combo:
- Thyme
- Bay leaf
- Parsley
- Tarragon
Regional Variations
Different regions in France have their own special shrimp dishes:
- Normandy: Loves their cream-based shrimp dishes
- Provence: Focuses on garlic and olive oil preparations
- Brittany: Known for simple, fresh preparations of local shrimp
Now you’re totally ready to order shrimp like a pro in any French restaurant! Whether you’re planning a trip to France or just want to impress your friends at the local French bistro, you’ve got all the lingo down.
Remember, it’s not just about knowing the word “crevette” – it’s about understanding the whole delicious world of French shrimp cuisine. And trust me, once you start exploring French shrimp dishes, you’ll never look at these little crustaceans the same way again!
So, next time someone asks “What is shrimp in French?” you can give them way more than just a one-word answer. You’re basically a French shrimp expert now!
Bon appétit, mes amis!
Translation of shrimp | PASSWORD English-French Dictionary
(Translation of shrimp from the PASSWORD English-French Dictionary © 2014 K Dictionaries Ltd)
#French#Frys#Shrimp#Shorts
FAQ
What do they call shrimp in France?
[ˈʃrɪmp ] noun. crevette f grise. Collins English-French Dictionary © by HarperCollins Publishers.
What is the Cajun word for shrimp?
The Cajun French word for shrimp is chevrette. It’s pronounced “she-vret”, according to Visit Port Arthur Texas.
What’s the difference between a prawn and a crevette?
Crevettes are giant cooked prawns in their shells. As you can tell from the name, they’re a French speciality (although the prawns themselves come from warmer climates). They’re ready to eat after peeling and deveining, although you could reheat briefly and serve warm. And they are delicious.
What is scampis in French?
langoustines fpl (frites) ⧫ scampi mpl.