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"Gamba" is a noun which is often translated as "shrimp", and "langostino" is a noun which is often translated as "king prawn". Learn more about the difference between "gamba" and "langostino" below.
la gamba(
gahm
-
bah
)
A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
feminine noun
a. shrimp
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
En el océano existen diversos tipos de gambas.There are various kinds of shrimps in the ocean.
b. prawn
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
Las gambas nacen siendo machos y cambian de sexo más tarde.Prawns are born male and change sex later on.
a. shrimp
Regionalism used in the United States
(United States)
Pedí un delicioso cóctel de gambas.I ordered a delicious shrimp cocktail.
b. prawn
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
(United Kingdom)
¿Me das la receta de las gambas al ajillo?Can you give me the recipe for garlic prawns?
3.
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
(colloquial)
(limb)
a. leg
Vaya gambas que tiene; tan largas y delgaduchas.Those are some legs she has; so long and skinny.
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el langostino(
lahng
-
gohs
-
tee
-
noh
)
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. king prawn (large)
En la cena de Navidad en España es habitual servir langostinos.In Spain, it's common to have king prawns for Christmas dinner.
b. prawn (small)
Los langostinos hay que comérselos con la mano, no con cuchillo y tenedor.You have to eat prawns with your hands, not with a knife and fork.
a. king prawn (large)
En otoño pescamos langostinos.We fish for king prawns in the fall.
b. prawn (small)
El problema es que estos trasmallos no solo atrapan langostinos.The problem is that these trammel nets don't just catch prawns.
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