cangrejo de río
/kanɡɾexo de ɾio/from spelling rules
The English word "crawfish" is cangrejo de río in Spanish.
The term refers to a freshwater crustacean that resembles a lobster.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "river crab."
Which one should you use?
While cangrejo means "crab", adding de río specifies that the animal is a freshwater crustacean (crawfish) rather than a saltwater crab.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries like Mexico, crawfish may be called camarón de río. Additionally, in some parts of Latin America, particularly in certain culinary contexts, people may use langostino to refer to large freshwater crustaceans, though cangrejo de río remains the most precise term for crawfish.
How do you pronounce it?
/kanɡɾexo de ɾio/
Did you know?
- The root of cangrejo comes from the Latin cancer, which is the same root used for the English word 'cancer' and the zodiac sign 'Cancer'.
- Because cangrejo uses a diminutive suffix, the Spanish word for 'crab' actually translates literally to 'little crab'.
- The Spanish word cangrejo is used to describe the 'crab walk' exercise in fitness, regardless of whether a real cangrejo de río is involved.
Examples in context
- ¿Has probado el cangrejo de río? Es una delicia.Have you tried crawfish? It's a delicacy.
- En el río detrás de mi casa, a veces pescamos cangrejos de agua dulce.In the river behind my house, we sometimes catch crawfish.
- Los niños se divierten capturando cangrejos de río pequeños en el verano.Children have fun catching small river crabs in the summer.
- El cangrejo de río es muy sabroso.The crawfish is very tasty.
- ¿Compraste cangrejo de río en el mercado?Did you buy crawfish at the market?
- Necesitamos un cangrejo de río para la receta.We need a crawfish for the recipe.
Example conversation
Javier and María are looking at a menu at a seafood restaurant.
- JavierMira, tienen plato de cangrejo de río.Look, they have a crawfish dish.
- MaríaNunca he probado el cangrejo de río.I have never tried crawfish.
- JavierEs muy sabroso, María. Deberías probarlo.It is very tasty, María. You should try it.
- MaríaEstá bien, vamos a pedir uno.Alright, let's order one.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cangrejo, de, río, CC BY-SA 4.0.
