marisco
/maˈɾisko/masculine
In Spanish, shellfish is translated as marisco.
marisco is used specifically for crustaceans (like shrimp or lobster) and mollusks (like clams or mussels), whereas pescado is used for finfish.
Meaning: aquatic food that has a shell (noun)
Which one should you use?
While the singular form is marisco, the plural form mariscos is much more common when referring to shellfish as a food category or a variety of types.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/maˈɾisko/
Did you know?
- While marisco refers to the food, the Spanish language uses the separate word concha to refer to the shell itself, which in some Latin American countries is a slang term for a vulgarity.
- In Spain, a mariscada is not just a collection of shellfish, but a specific social event or feast centered around a massive, shared platter of various mariscos.
- While mariscos covers the food category, the Spanish language has a specific word for the act of gathering shellfish by hand from the shore, called marisqueo.
Examples in context
- No me gustan los mariscos.I don't like shellfish.This sentence shows how to express a dislike for marisco.Tatoeba #1257816 by marcelostockle, translation #22035 by CK
- ¿Tu última comida contenía fruta, frutos secos, huevo o marisco?Did your last meal contain fruit, nuts, eggs, or shellfish?This sentence is useful for asking if a meal contained various food groups, including marisco.Tatoeba #10108865 by manufrutos, translation #9982129 by NurseMeeks
- Está prohibido pescar mariscos.It is forbidden to catch shellfish.This sentence demonstrates the use of mariscos when talking about the act of catching shellfish.Tatoeba #12144952 by carlosalberto, translation #12144948 by carlosalberto
- Me encanta comer moluscos, especialmente almejas y vieiras.I love eating shellfish, especially clams and scallops.
- Mi restaurante favorito sirve los mejores mariscos de la región.My favorite restaurant serves the best seafood in the region.
- Vamos a hacer una mariscada este fin de semana.Let's have a seafood feast this weekend.
- ¿Te apetecen unos mariscos para cenar?Do you feel like having some seafood for dinner?
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are deciding what to eat at a restaurant.
- Elena¿Quieres comer carne o marisco?Do you want to eat meat or shellfish?
- JavierPrefiero el marisco, Elena.I prefer shellfish, Elena.
- ElenaEntonces, busquemos un restaurante de costa.Then, let's look for a seaside restaurant.
- JavierEs una excelente idea.That is an excellent idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shellfish” translations and entries marisco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
