Spanish · Food & Drink
"Shrimp" in Spanish: camarón
el camarón
Note: ES: la gamba
Shrimp is el camarón (kah-mah-ROHN), a masculine noun. The plural is los camarones. In Spain you often hear la gamba instead of camarón.
How to pronounce camarón: audio and sound guideAt a seafood stand
Un kilo de camarones, por favor.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce camarón
Say it
kah-mah-ROHN
/ka.maˈɾon/
Three syllables: kah-mah-ROHN. Stress ROHN in camarón. Accent on ó.
"Shrimp" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| el camarón | shrimp Default Latin American word. | Default Latin American word. |
| los camarones | shrimp (plural) Dishes and market talk. | Dishes and market talk. |
| la gamba | shrimp / prawn (Spain) Castilian menu word; note ES difference. | Castilian menu word; note ES difference. |
| el cóctel de camarones | shrimp cocktail Appetizer orders. | Appetizer orders. |
How to use camarón in real life
- 1At a seafood stand
Un kilo de camarones, por favor.
A kilo of shrimp, please.
Camarones is the usual shopping plural.
- 2Ordering a dish
Para mí, los camarones al ajillo.
For me, the garlic shrimp.
Camarones al ajillo is a classic plate name.
- 3Checking allergies
¿Este caldo lleva camarón?
Does this soup have shrimp?
Singular camarón still counts in ingredient questions.
Mistakes English speakers make with camarón
Incorrect: La camarón está fresco.
Correct: El camarón está fresco.
Camarón is masculine. Use el and fresco.
Incorrect: Quiero shrimp en la sopa.
Correct: Quiero camarón en la sopa. / Quiero camarones en la sopa.
Say camarón or camarones, not English shrimp.
Good to know
Good to knowCoastal Latin America serves camarones grilled, in cocktails, or in tacos. Spain’s gamba is the everyday menu word there. Tourist menus still list camarón by size.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Ordering seafood by the beach
ChatPal
¿Camarones a la plancha o empanizados?
Grilled shrimp or breaded?
You
A la plancha. Unos camarones medianos.
Grilled. Some medium shrimp.
ChatPal
¿Con limón?
With lemon?
You
Sí, gracias.
Yes, thanks.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Shrimp" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Shrimp" in Spanish
Is camarón masculine or feminine?
Masculine: el camarón, los camarones. Do not say la camarón.
What do they say in Spain?
Often la gamba or las gambas. Latin America favors camarón.
How do I say the plural?
Los camarones. Plural spelling drops the accent: camarones.
Is camaron without an accent okay?
Chat may skip accents. Standard writing keeps camarón.
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