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"Ostra" is a noun which is often translated as "oyster", and "ostión" is a noun which is often translated as "large oyster". Learn more about the difference between "ostra" and "ostión" below.
la ostra(
ohs
-
trah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (animal)
a. oyster
La contaminación de la bahía está afectando la población de ostras y cangrejos.The pollution in the bay is affecting the oyster and crab population.
2. (culinary)
a. oyster
En la cena nos dieron un entremés de ostras crudas con limón.As an appetizer, we had raw oysters with lemon.
3. (introvert)
a. shrinking violet
Nuestro nuevo compañero de clase es una ostra que no quiere hacer nuevos amigos.Our new classmate is a shrinking violet who doesn't want to be friends with us.
el ostión(
ohs
-
tyohn
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
a. large oyster
El ostión que recogieron los pescadores era del tamaño de una mano.The large oyster the fishermen picked was the size of a hand.
b. oyster
Yo tomaré el arroz con salsa de ostión, por favor.I'll have the rice with oyster sauce, please.
a. scallop
Aún recuerdo los sabrosos ostiones que comimos en Valparaíso.I still remember the delicious scallops we had in Valparaiso.
