cá tra
The English word "catfish" is translated into Vietnamese as cá tra.
cá tra is used to refer to a specific type of large striped catfish, which is a common ingredient in cuisine from the Mekong Delta.
Meaning: type of fish (noun)
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish cá tra from cá trê, as the latter refers specifically to the walking catfish.
Did you know?
- The term cá tra is used globally in the food industry to describe 'basa' fillets, a common export from Vietnam.
- The name cá tra likely has roots in the Khmer language, specifically the word praa, rather than being purely Vietnamese in origin.
Examples in context
- Tôi muốn mua cá tra.I want to buy catfish.
- Món này nấu bằng cá tra.This dish is cooked with catfish.
- Cá tra rất tươi.The catfish is very fresh.
Example conversation
At a local wet market.
- LanAnh ơi, cá tra này bao nhiêu tiền?Excuse me, how much is this catfish?
- TuấnCá tra này năm mươi nghìn một cân.This catfish is fifty thousand per kilo.
- LanCho tôi hai cân cá tra nhé.Give me two kilos of catfish, please.
- TuấnĐược, đợi tôi một chút.Okay, wait a moment.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cá, cá tra, tra, CC BY-SA 4.0.
