prawn vs. shrimp

Question

Is there a difference in the Spanish vocabulary between "prawn" and "shrimp"? I use "camarón" for both. Someone mentioned that one could use "langosta" but I thought that mainly referred to lobsters.

Could you please tell the difference between prawn & shrimp ? I always thought of prawn as the British word for shrimps ! - Talal87, Jan 21, 2011

It's just size. Shrimp are of small to medium size and prawn are much larger. - kristina222, Jan 21, 2011

Thank you Kristina :) - Talal87, Jan 22, 2011

Answer 1

prawn

langostino m, camarón m (AmL);(medium) camarón m (AmL), gamba f (esp Esp), langostino m (CS);(small) camarón m, quisquilla f (Esp);

shrimp

(pl ~ or (BrE also) ~s) (large) (AmE) langostino m, camarón m (AmL); (medium) camarón m (AmL), gamba f (esp Esp), langostino m (CS); (small) (BrE) camarón m, quisquilla f (Esp);

Which is used for which may be somewhat regional.

According to your links there are other zoological differences between shrimp and prawn than size.

the prawns have sequentially overlapping body segments (segment one covers the segment two, segment two covers segment three, etc), chelate (claw like) first three leg pairs, and have a very basic larval body type.

The shrimps also have overlapping segments, however, in a different pattern (segment two overlaps segments one and three), only the first two leg pairs are chelate, and they have a more complex larval form.

¡Bienvenida al foro!

Welcome to the forum!

This is what I use. - Gekkosan, Jan 21, 2011

This is great! I am really just concerned with the regional use of the word, specifically in Mexico. I think langostino is it. - kristina222, Jan 21, 2011

Answer 2

Food vocabulary varies greatly from country to country; I usually think of the difference between a prawn and a shrimp as generally being one of size, with a very gray zone of overlap, but recognize that I do not know how the terms are used in other English speaking countries.

I usually think of "gamba" as the equivalent of prawn.

I usually think of "camarón" as the equivalent of shrimp, but note that in Spain, I think I would need to use quisquilla instead.

I am a beginner and so I would appreciate any corrections to my Spanish equivalents, and any input from non-Americans on the usage of shrimp versus prawn (in English).

Your distinctions between prawn and shrimp are correct and the consensus for "gamba" as prawn is growing strong. - kristina222, Jan 21, 2011

Answer 3

In Mexico, "Prawn" is referred to as "Langostino."

Answer 4

Trygamba

I hesitate to use gamba as in Italian it means "leg". I guess I'm looking for the vocabulary used mainly in costal Mexico. Any native Mexicanos out there? - kristina222, Jan 21, 2011