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"Jaiba" is a noun which is often translated as "crab", and "cangrejo" is a noun which is also often translated as "crab". Learn more about the difference between "jaiba" and "cangrejo" below.
la jaiba(
hay
-
bah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (animal) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
2. (culinary) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
3. (anatomy) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. mouth
Diego se cubrió la jaiba cuando sonrió porque sus dientes torcidos le daban vergüenza.Diego covered his mouth when he smiled because he was embarrassed of his crooked teeth.
el cangrejo(
kahng
-
greh
-
hoh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. crayfish
Este río está lleno de cangrejos y son más fáciles de pescar que los del mar.This river is teeming with crayfish and they are easier to catch than crabs.
b. crawfish (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Siempre echo unos cangrejos en la barbacoa para mí porque no como carne.I always throw some crawfish on the barbecue for me because I don't eat meat.
