patas de cangrejo
/patas de kanɡɾexo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "crab legs" is translated into Spanish as patas de cangrejo.
This phrase refers to the edible legs of a crab used as food.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of patas (legs), de (of) and cangrejo (crab).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In parts of Spain and South America, such as Chile and Argentina, you may use Patas de centolla to refer to crab legs. In some Caribbean countries, including Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, the localized variation Patitas de jaiba is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun patas is plural, meaning the phrase refers to multiple legs.
How do you pronounce it?
/patas de kanɡɾexo/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word cangrejo comes from the Latin cancer, which was used for both the animal and the disease because of the crab-like appearance of certain tumors.
- In certain Spanish dialects, the term cangrejo can be used metaphorically to describe a project or a situation that is moving backward instead of forward.
- While patas refers to the legs of animals, using the word piernas for 'crab legs' would sound strange to a native speaker because piernas is typically reserved for humans.
Examples in context
- En el restaurante, por favor, quisiera ordenar patas de cangrejo.At the restaurant, please, I would like to order crab legs.
- ¿Vamos a preparar unas paticas de cangrejo para la cena?Shall we prepare some crab legs for dinner?
- Compré patas de cangrejo para la cena.I bought crab legs for dinner.
- ¿Prefieres las patas de cangrejo con mantequilla?Do you prefer the crab legs with butter?
- Estas patas de cangrejo están muy frescas.These crab legs are very fresh.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are looking at a seafood menu.
- AlejandroMira, tienen patas de cangrejo en el menú.Look, they have crab legs on the menu.
- Lucía¡Qué rico! Me encantan las patas de cangrejo.How delicious! I love crab legs.
- AlejandroPidamos una ración para compartir, Lucía.Let's order a portion to share, Lucía.
- LucíaMe parece una idea excelente, Alejandro.I think that's an excellent idea, Alejandro.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cangrejo, de, CC BY-SA 4.0.
