Hey seafood lovers! I’ve been traveling through Spanish-speaking countries lately, and lemme tell you – ordering shrimp can be trickier than you’d think! After embarrassing myself a few times at restaurants (and getting some weird looks from waiters), I finally figured out all the different Spanish words for these tasty crustaceans.
The Main Spanish Words for Shrimp
Here’s the deal – there isn’t just one Spanish word for shrimp. Depending on where you are and what type of shrimp you’re talking about, you’ll hear different terms:
-
Camarón (kah-mah-ROHN)
- Most common word in Latin America
- Used for medium to small shrimp
- What you’ll usually hear in Mexico, Central America, and most of South America
-
Gamba (GAHM-bah)
- Common in Spain
- Usually refers to medium-sized shrimp
- What you’ll hear when ordering at restaurants in Spain
-
Langostino (lan-gos-TEE-no)
- Used for larger shrimp/prawns
- More expensive/fancy variety
- Common in upscale restaurants
Regional Differences Worth Knowing
Listen up! Where you are in the Spanish-speaking world makes a BIG difference
Spain
- Gamba is your go-to word
- Quisquilla for very small shrimp
- Langostino for the big ones
Mexico & Latin America
- Camarón is king
- Almost everyone will understand this term
- Langostino mainly for jumbo shrimp
Common Shrimp Dishes & How to Order Them
Wanna sound like a local? Here are some popular shrimp dishes and how to ask for them
| English | Spanish | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Grilled shrimp | Camarones a la parrilla | kah-mah-ROH-nes ah lah pah-REE-yah |
| Garlic shrimp | Camarones al ajillo | kah-mah-ROH-nes ahl ah-HEE-yo |
| Shrimp cocktail | Cóctel de camarones | KOHK-tel deh kah-mah-ROH-nes |
| Fried shrimp | Camarones fritos | kah-mah-ROH-nes FREE-tohs |
Pro Tips for Ordering
- When in doubt, use “camarón” – it’s widely understood
- In Spain, stick with “gamba” to sound more local
- Use “langostino” when referring to really big shrimp
- Remember that these are usually masculine nouns (el camarón, los camarones)
Fun Fact!
Here’s something crazy – in some places, “camarón” is used as slang for a small or puny person (kinda like how we use “shrimp” in English). But maybe don’t use that unless you’re really confident in your Spanish!
Common Phrases You Might Need
- “¿Tienen camarones?” (Do you have shrimp?)
- “Me gustaría ordenar gambas” (I would like to order shrimp)
- “¿Los camarones son frescos?” (Are the shrimp fresh?)
- “Sin cabeza, por favor” (Without the head, please)
Wrapping It Up
So there ya have it! Whether you’re hitting up a beachside restaurant in Mexico or a fancy tapas bar in Madrid, you now know exactly how to order your shrimp. Just remember:
- Camarón for Latin America
- Gamba for Spain
- Langostino for the big boys
Next time you’re craving some seafood in a Spanish-speaking country, you’ll sound like you know what you’re talking about! And trust me, the locals really appreciate when you make the effort to use the right words.
Got any funny stories about ordering seafood in Spanish? Drop ’em in the comments below! And don’t forget to share this guide with your travel buddies – nobody likes looking confused at restaurants!
#SpanishFood #TravelTips #LearnSpanish #Seafood #FoodieLife
Translation of shrimp | GLOBAL English–Spanish Dictionary shrimp
(Translation of shrimp from the GLOBAL English-Spanish Dictionary © 2020 K Dictionaries Ltd)
Translations of shrimp in Chinese (Traditional) 動物, 小海蝦, （食用的）小蝦仁…
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Daily Spanish word | How do you say (“shrimp”) in Spanish shrimp
FAQ
How do you say shrimp in Spanish?
Get a quick, free translation! What is the pronunciation of shrimp? SHRIMP translate: camarón, gamba, camarón, gamba [feminine, singular]. Learn more in the Cambridge English-Spanish Dictionary.
What are the different types of shrimp in Spanish?
Shrimp is no exception. Here are the main Spanish terms you’ll encounter for those succulent shellfish: Camarón – This is the most common and generic word for shrimp in Spanish. Camarón can refer to any type or size of shrimp. Gambas – Typically used for larger, prawn-like shrimp or those used in Mediterranean cuisine.
What do Spanish speakers call a shrimp?
Quisquilla – A smaller shrimp or prawn, more common in regional Spanish of Spain. Langostino – A large shrimp or prawn similar to a gambas. Tends to be used more often in Latin American Spanish. As you can see, size and geography determines what Spanish speakers will call a shrimp. But let’s explore when and how to use each term properly.
Is shrimp a common ingredient in Spanish?
Yes, shrimp is a common and popular ingredient in many Spanish-speaking countries, thanks to their access to fresh seafood and their rich culinary traditions. It is often featured in both everyday meals and special occasions. What are some common phrases or expressions related to shrimp in Spanish?
What does grilled shrimp mean in Spanish?
In Spanish, you may hear expressions like “langostinos a la plancha” (grilled shrimp) or “camarones en salsa” (shrimp in sauce) when discussing shrimp dishes. These phrases are commonly used in Spanish-speaking countries.
Where can I find a translation of shrimp?
Visit the Spanish-English Forum. Help WordReference: Ask in the forums yourself. Go to Preferences page and choose from different actions for taps or mouse clicks. See Google Translate’s machine translation of ‘shrimp’.