Shrimp is a delicious and popular seafood that is enjoyed in many different countries around the world. It is important to know how to say “shrimp” in Spanish if you are going to a Spanish-speaking country or just want to improve your Spanish. This article will talk about the different ways to say “shrimp” in Spanish, what the word means, and how it can be used.
The tasty crustacean known as shrimp in English has several common translations in Spanish With shrimp being a popular seafood globally, it’s helpful to know the correct terms for shrimp when speaking Spanish.
The words used for shrimp in Spanish depend on the size and type of shrimp, as well as regional variations in different Spanish-speaking countries. Read on to learn the basic Spanish vocabulary for shrimp and how to order, cook, and talk about these decadent shellfish in a Spanish-speaking environment.
The Most Common Ways to Say Shrimp in Spanish
In most contexts, shrimp translates to “camarón” (kah-mah-ROHN) in Spanish. This is the go-to word for shrimp in general and can refer to any size, from tiny bay shrimp to jumbo shrimp.
Here are some examples of “camarón” in sentences
- Me gusta comer camarones a la parrilla – I like eating grilled shrimp
- ¿Tienen camarones en el menú? – Do you have shrimp on the menu?
- Los camarones son mi marisco favorito – Shrimp are my favorite seafood
However, there are some variations in how to say shrimp in Spanish:
- Large shrimp are often called “gambas” (GAHM-bahs) in Spain and some Latin American regions.
- Smaller salad shrimp or bay shrimp may be “quisquillas” (kees-KEE-yahs) in Spain.
- In Mexico, “camarón” is most widely used regardless of size.
So while “camarón” is the primary translation for shrimp in most of the Spanish-speaking world, be aware of regional differences in terminology when traveling.
Key Spanish Vocabulary for Ordering Shrimp
When dining out or buying shrimp from a Spanish market or grocery store, here are some key terms to know:
- Shrimp cocktail – “Cóctel de camarones”
- Fried shrimp – “Camarones fritos”
- Grilled shrimp – “Camarones a la parrilla”
- Shrimp scampi – “Camarones al ajillo” or “gambas scampi”
- Shrimp alfredo – “Pasta alfredo con camarones”
- Garlic shrimp – “Camarones al ajillo”
- Jumbo shrimp – “Camarón jumbo” or “gamba grande”
Use these phrases when ordering or asking if a dish is available:
- ¿Tienen camarones al ajillo? – Do you have garlic shrimp?
- Quiero el camarón jumbo, por favor – I’ll have the jumbo shrimp, please
- Voy a pedir las gambas a la plancha – I’m going to order the grilled shrimp
Knowing the right terms will help you get the type of shrimp dish you want, whether dining out or buying raw shrimp to cook at home.
Useful Spanish Vocabulary for Cooking with Shrimp
When following or discussing Spanish shrimp recipes, here are some helpful ingredients and cooking terms:
- Shrimp – Camarones (or gambas)
- Butter – Mantequilla
- Garlic – Ajo
- Lemon – Limón
- Rice – Arroz
- Olive oil – Aceite de oliva
- Paprika – Pimentón
- Chili powder – Polvo de chili
- Pepper – Pimienta
- Salt – Sal
- Onion – Cebolla
- To peel – Pelar
- To devein – Desvenar
- To sauté – Saltear
- To grill – Asar a la parrilla
Knowing this vocabulary will help you successfully make popular Spanish shrimp dishes like:
- Camarones al ajillo (garlic shrimp)
- Arroz con camarones (shrimp fried rice)
- Camarones a la plancha (grilled shrimp)
- Gambas al pimentón (shrimp in paprika sauce)
Useful Tips for Identifying Shrimp Types in Spanish
-
In Mexico and many other Latin American regions, “camarón” is the catch-all word for any type of shrimp.
-
In Spain, “gambas” often refers to large shrimp and “quisquillas” to small shrimp.
-
Shrimp size may be specified, like “camarón jumbo” or “camarón grande.”
-
Terms like “langostinos” or ” langostas” refer to different shellfish like prawns or lobster, not shrimp.
-
If unsure, you can ask “¿Tiene camarones?” or say “Quiero camarones” to get whichever type of shrimp is most common.
-
Showing a photo or pointing can help identify the exact shrimp species if the Spanish name is unknown.
Key Tips for Pronouncing “Shrimp” in Spanish
Pronouncing shrimp-related Spanish vocabulary correctly will help you communicate better. Here are some pronunciation tips:
-
“Camarón” is pronounced kah-mah-ROHN with the stress on the last syllable.
-
“Gambas” is pronounced GAHM-bahs with equal emphasis on both syllables.
-
Roll the “R” sound in “camarón” and “arroz con camarones.”
-
Link all the words together in phrases instead of separating each word.
-
Speak clearly and don’t drop the endings of words like the plural “s” in “camarones.”
-
Listen closely to native speakers and try mimicking their speed and rhythms.
With a little practice, you’ll be able to confidently order, discuss, and pronounce shrimp vocabulary like a native Spanish speaker!
Common Questions and Answers about Shrimp in Spanish
Here are some frequent questions about how to say shrimp in Spanish along with the key answers:
What is the most common Spanish word for shrimp?
The most universally understood Spanish term is “camarón.” It can refer to any species or size of shrimp.
What are other ways to say shrimp in Spanish?
“Gambas” is used for large shrimp in Spain and some Latin American regions. “Quisquillas” refers to smaller shrimp in certain areas of Spain.
Do they use different words for shrimp in Mexico?
In Mexico, “camarón” is used for all shrimp regardless of size. The terms “gambas” and “quisquillas” are less common.
What if I don’t know what type of shrimp it is?
You can simply ask “¿Tienen camarones?” or say “Quiero camarones” to get whichever shrimp variety is typical for that region.
How do I pronounce camarón, gambas, quisquillas?
“Camarón” is pronounced kah-mah-ROHN, “gambas” as GAHM-bahs, “quisquillas” as kees-KEE-yahs. Stress and roll the “R”.
What are other shellfish called in Spanish?
Different terms are used for prawns (“langostinos”), lobster (“langosta”), and crayfish (“cangrejo”). Don’t confuse these with shrimp vocabulary.
Frequency of entities:
shrimp: 27
Spanish: 24
camarón: 21
gambas: 10
quisquillas: 5
order: 4
vocabulary: 4
cook: 3
garlic: 3
grill: 3
cocktail: 2
fried: 2
scampi: 2
alfredo: 2
jumbo: 2
small: 2
large: 2
prawn: 1
lobster: 1
crayfish: 1
langostinos: 1
langosta: 1
cangrejo: 1
pelar: 1
devein: 1
saltear: 1
asar: 1
ajo: 1
limón: 1
arroz: 1
aceite: 1
pimentón: 1
polvo: 1
pimienta: 1
sal: 1
cebolla: 1
Meaning of “Shrimp” in Spanish
The word “cammarón” comes from the Latin word “cammarus,” which means a small crustacean with 10 legs and a long, narrow body that is good to eat. You can find them in both saltwater and freshwater. In Spain, “langostino” is also a type of crustacean with a similar appearance, but larger in size.
4 eBooks of the Spanish Frequency Dictionaries series by MostUsedWords
It’s important to remember that the word for “shrimp” can be different in different places. In Spain, for example, gamba (IPA: /ɡam. ba/) is another commonly used term for “shrimp”. In Mexico, camarón de río (IPA: /ka. ma. ɾon de ri. o/) refers to freshwater shrimp, while camarón de mar (IPA: /ka. ma. ɾon de maɾ/) refers to saltwater shrimp.
What is “Shrimp” in Spanish?
In Spanish, “shrimp” can be translated to “camarón” (IPA: /ka. ma. ɾon/) or “langostino” (IPA: /lan. ɡos. ti. no/), depending on the region. In Spain, “langostino” is often used to talk about a bigger type of shrimp, but in Latin America, “camarón” is more common.