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"Gambas" is a noun which is often translated as "shrimp", and "camarones" is a noun which is also often translated as "shrimp". Learn more about the difference between "gambas" and "camarones" 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).
1. (animal)
a. shrimp (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
En el océano existen diversos tipos de gambas.There are various kinds of shrimps in the ocean.
b. prawn (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Las gambas nacen siendo machos y cambian de sexo más tarde.Prawns are born male and change sex later on.
2. (culinary)
a. shrimp (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Pedí un delicioso cóctel de gambas.I ordered a delicious shrimp cocktail.
b. prawn (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¿Me das la receta de las gambas al ajillo?Can you give me the recipe for garlic prawns?
3. (colloquial) (limb)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. leg
Vaya gambas que tiene; tan largas y delgaduchas.Those are some legs she has; so long and skinny.
el camarón(
kah
-
mah
-
rohn
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (animal)
b. prawn (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Muchos pescadores vienen aquí a pescar camarones.Many fishers come here to catch prawns.
2. (culinary)
b. prawn (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Esta noche vamos a cenar pescado y cócteles de camarones.Tonight we're having fish and prawn cocktail for dinner.
3. (occasional job) (Central America)
Regionalism used in Central America: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama
a. casual work
Estoy buscando un camarón porque necesito dinero extra.I'm looking for some casual work because I need extra money.