Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Shrimp in Spanish: Camarón, Gamba, and Langostino Explained
Camarón · noun (masculine) · kah-mah-ROHN
Shrimp in Spanish is camarón in Latin America and gamba in Spain. Langostino refers to a larger variety, similar to a prawn. Knowing the regional term helps you navigate menus and markets.
kah-mah-ROHN in Latin America. GAHM-bah in Spain. lahn-gohs-TEE-noh for the larger prawn.
Pedí un cóctel de camarones.
I ordered a shrimp cocktail.
Shrimp in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for shrimp, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| camarón | shrimp | kah-mah-ROHN | Default, widely understood |
| gamba | shrimp | Spain, standard term for shrimp | |
| langostino | shrimp | larger prawn, used in Spain and Argentina |
How Native Speakers Use Camarón
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Ordering at a restaurant in Mexico
Quiero unos tacos de camarón con aguacate, por favor.
I'd like some shrimp tacos with avocado, please.
Camarón is the default word in Mexican restaurants and across Latin America.
Ordering tapas in Spain
Ponme una ración de gambas al ajillo.
Give me a serving of garlic shrimp.
In Spain, gambas al ajillo is one of the most iconic tapas dishes.
Describing a larger prawn
Los langostinos a la plancha estaban espectaculares.
The grilled prawns were spectacular.
Langostino is reserved for larger shellfish, often served whole at special meals.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Camarón
Using camarón in Spain
Incorrect: In a Madrid tapas bar: Quiero camarones al ajillo.
Correct: Quiero gambas al ajillo.
While people in Spain will understand camarón, it sounds foreign there. Gamba is the natural local choice and what appears on every Spanish menu.
Treating langostino and camarón as identical
Incorrect: A langostino is just a big camarón.
Correct: A langostino is a distinct, larger shellfish similar to a prawn.
Langostinos are biologically different and carry a premium price. Using the terms interchangeably can cause confusion when ordering or shopping.
Why Shrimp Matters in Spanish-Speaking Cultures
Gambas al ajillo—shrimp sautéed in olive oil, garlic, and chili flakes—is one of Spain's most beloved tapas. It is served sizzling in a clay dish and scooped up with crusty bread.
Lock in Shrimp Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Camarón used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using camarón in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Pedí un cóctel de camarones. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Shrimp in Spanish
- If I say camarón in Spain, will they understand?
- Yes, Spaniards will know what you mean, but they may find it unusual. The local term is gamba. Using camarón in Spain is a quick giveaway that you learned Spanish in Latin America.
- What is the plural of camarón?
- The plural is camarones. The accent shifts naturally: kah-mah-ROH-nehs. The singular carries an accent on the final syllable; the plural does not need a written accent because the stress stays regular.
- Is there a word for shrimp that works everywhere?
- Camarón is the most widely understood term globally thanks to Latin American media and population size. Gamba is specific to Spain and parts of West Africa. When in doubt, camarón will get you understood almost anywhere.