jaiba
blue crab, Mexico
Both cangrejo and jaiba are used in Mexico. Jaiba is the usual word on the coasts, especially for the blue crab served in seafood dishes. It is also called cangrejo de mar.
Meaning: a shellfish with claws (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| jaiba | blue crab, Mexico |
| cangrejo | neutral |
| cangrejo de mar | sea crab |
On menus along the Gulf coast you will see jaiba in dishes such as empanadas de jaiba and tostadas de jaiba. Cangrejo is the standard word in dictionaries.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word jaiba is part of coastal Mexican seafood vocabulary, while cangrejo is understood everywhere.
Did you know?
- The word jaiba is used in Mexico and in several Caribbean countries for crabs, and it comes from an indigenous Caribbean word.
Examples in context
- Quiero una tostada de jaiba.I want a crab tostada.
- Vi un cangrejo en la playa.I saw a crab on the beach.
Example conversation
Esteban and his sister Pilar order at a seafood stand in Veracruz.
- EstebanBuenas tardes, ¿qué tienen de jaiba?Good afternoon, what do you have with crab?
- PilarYo quiero la empanada de jaiba.I want the crab empanada.
- EstebanDos, por favor.Two, please.
