๐ฆ Seafood Vocab
Seafood names cover fish, shellfish, and a few familiar pairs that can be easy to mix up. Shrimp and prawns are two names for almost the same thing, while cod, haddock, and pollock are close cousins in the white-fish family. These are the names youโll find on menus and fish-counter tags.
๐ Everyday Fish
๐ฉท Salmon
pink oily fish, farmed or wild
Example: Salmon on the grill. Trout is the smaller freshwater cousin. Arctic char sits between them.
๐ซ๐ท French: Saumon
๐ฉ๐ช German: Lachs
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salmone
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Salmรฃo
๐ก Nuance: Oily and pink. Tuna is the other big steak fish, darker and meatier.
pink oily fish, farmed or wild
Example: Salmon on the grill. Trout is the smaller freshwater cousin. Arctic char sits between them.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salmรณn๐ซ๐ท French: Saumon
๐ฉ๐ช German: Lachs
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salmone
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Salmรฃo
๐ก Nuance: Oily and pink. Tuna is the other big steak fish, darker and meatier.
๐ด Tuna
large meaty ocean fish, fresh or canned
Example: Tuna steak or canned tuna. Swordfish is another thick steak fish.
๐ซ๐ท French: Thon
๐ฉ๐ช German: Thunfisch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Tonno
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Atum
๐ก Nuance: Can and steak share a name. Mackerel is smaller and oilier.
large meaty ocean fish, fresh or canned
Example: Tuna steak or canned tuna. Swordfish is another thick steak fish.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Atรบn๐ซ๐ท French: Thon
๐ฉ๐ช German: Thunfisch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Tonno
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Atum
๐ก Nuance: Can and steak share a name. Mackerel is smaller and oilier.
โช Cod
mild white flaky fish
Example: Fish and chips is often cod. Haddock is the close North Atlantic cousin.
๐ซ๐ท French: Morue / cabillaud
๐ฉ๐ช German: Kabeljau
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Merluzzo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Bacalhau
๐ก Nuance: Salted dried cod is bacalao. Pollock is the cheaper white-fish stand-in.
mild white flaky fish
Example: Fish and chips is often cod. Haddock is the close North Atlantic cousin.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Bacalao๐ซ๐ท French: Morue / cabillaud
๐ฉ๐ช German: Kabeljau
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Merluzzo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Bacalhau
๐ก Nuance: Salted dried cod is bacalao. Pollock is the cheaper white-fish stand-in.
๐ก Haddock
white flaky fish, slightly sweeter than cod
Example: Smoked haddock in a chowder. Cod is the blander chip-shop default.
๐ซ๐ท French: รglefin
๐ฉ๐ช German: Schellfisch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Asinello
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Arinca
๐ก Nuance: Same family job as cod. Finnan haddie is smoked haddock.
white flaky fish, slightly sweeter than cod
Example: Smoked haddock in a chowder. Cod is the blander chip-shop default.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Eglefino๐ซ๐ท French: รglefin
๐ฉ๐ช German: Schellfisch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Asinello
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Arinca
๐ก Nuance: Same family job as cod. Finnan haddie is smoked haddock.
๐ง Halibut
large firm white flatfish
Example: Halibut steak. Flounder and sole are smaller flatfish.
๐ซ๐ท French: Flรฉtan
๐ฉ๐ช German: Heilbutt
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Ippoglosso
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Alabote
๐ก Nuance: Thick and steak-like. Not a thin fillet like sole.
large firm white flatfish
Example: Halibut steak. Flounder and sole are smaller flatfish.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Fletรกn๐ซ๐ท French: Flรฉtan
๐ฉ๐ช German: Heilbutt
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Ippoglosso
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Alabote
๐ก Nuance: Thick and steak-like. Not a thin fillet like sole.
๐ข Mahi-Mahi
firm tropical fish, also called dolphinfish
Example: Grilled mahi-mahi. The name is Hawaiian. It is not a dolphin.
๐ซ๐ท French: Coryphรจne
๐ฉ๐ช German: Goldmakrele
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Lampuga
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Dourado
๐ก Nuance: Dorado on some menus. Snapper is another restaurant white fish, flakier.
firm tropical fish, also called dolphinfish
Example: Grilled mahi-mahi. The name is Hawaiian. It is not a dolphin.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Mahi-mahi / dorado๐ซ๐ท French: Coryphรจne
๐ฉ๐ช German: Goldmakrele
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Lampuga
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Dourado
๐ก Nuance: Dorado on some menus. Snapper is another restaurant white fish, flakier.
โ๏ธ Swordfish
dense steak fish with a bill
Example: Swordfish grill marks. Closer to tuna than to cod.
๐ซ๐ท French: Espadon
๐ฉ๐ช German: Schwertfisch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pesce spada
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Espadarte
๐ก Nuance: Meat texture. Monkfish is another dense white steak from an ugly fish.
dense steak fish with a bill
Example: Swordfish grill marks. Closer to tuna than to cod.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Pez espada๐ซ๐ท French: Espadon
๐ฉ๐ช German: Schwertfisch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pesce spada
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Espadarte
๐ก Nuance: Meat texture. Monkfish is another dense white steak from an ugly fish.
๐ Mackerel
small oily fish with dark stripes
Example: Smoked mackerel. Sardines and herring are the other small oily tins.
๐ซ๐ท French: Maquereau
๐ฉ๐ช German: Makrele
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Sgombro
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Sarda
๐ก Nuance: Stronger than salmon. Bluefish is the bigger oily fighter on the East Coast.
small oily fish with dark stripes
Example: Smoked mackerel. Sardines and herring are the other small oily tins.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Caballa๐ซ๐ท French: Maquereau
๐ฉ๐ช German: Makrele
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Sgombro
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Sarda
๐ก Nuance: Stronger than salmon. Bluefish is the bigger oily fighter on the East Coast.
๐ฅซ Sardines
small oily fish, often canned
Example: Sardines on toast. Anchovies are saltier and used more as seasoning.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sardines
๐ฉ๐ช German: Sardinen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Sardine
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Sardinhas
๐ก Nuance: Eaten as fish. Anchovies often melt into a sauce.
small oily fish, often canned
Example: Sardines on toast. Anchovies are saltier and used more as seasoning.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Sardinas๐ซ๐ท French: Sardines
๐ฉ๐ช German: Sardinen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Sardine
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Sardinhas
๐ก Nuance: Eaten as fish. Anchovies often melt into a sauce.
๐ง Anchovies
tiny salty fish used as seasoning more than as a fillet
Example: Anchovies in Caesar dressing. You may not taste fish. You taste salt and umami.
๐ซ๐ท French: Anchois
๐ฉ๐ช German: Sardellen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Acciughe
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Anchovas
๐ก Nuance: White anchovies are milder. Sardines stay a meal.
tiny salty fish used as seasoning more than as a fillet
Example: Anchovies in Caesar dressing. You may not taste fish. You taste salt and umami.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Anchoas๐ซ๐ท French: Anchois
๐ฉ๐ช German: Sardellen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Acciughe
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Anchovas
๐ก Nuance: White anchovies are milder. Sardines stay a meal.
๐ฅ Herring
small oily fish, often pickled or smoked
Example: Pickled herring. Sardines are the closer tin.
๐ซ๐ท French: Hareng
๐ฉ๐ช German: Hering
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Aringa
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Arenque
๐ก Nuance: Kipper is smoked herring. Rollmop is pickled herring.
small oily fish, often pickled or smoked
Example: Pickled herring. Sardines are the closer tin.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Arenque๐ซ๐ท French: Hareng
๐ฉ๐ช German: Hering
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Aringa
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Arenque
๐ก Nuance: Kipper is smoked herring. Rollmop is pickled herring.
๐๏ธ Trout
freshwater fish related to salmon
Example: Pan-fried trout. Arctic char is the cold-water pink cousin.
๐ซ๐ท French: Truite
๐ฉ๐ช German: Forelle
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Trota
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Truta
๐ก Nuance: Rainbow trout is the farm default. Salmon is larger and usually marine.
freshwater fish related to salmon
Example: Pan-fried trout. Arctic char is the cold-water pink cousin.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Trucha๐ซ๐ท French: Truite
๐ฉ๐ช German: Forelle
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Trota
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Truta
๐ก Nuance: Rainbow trout is the farm default. Salmon is larger and usually marine.
๐ฝ๏ธ Restaurant White Fish
๐ด Snapper
firm white reef fish - red snapper is the famous name
Example: Whole roasted snapper. Grouper is the thicker steak cousin.
๐ซ๐ท French: Vivaneau
๐ฉ๐ช German: Schnapper
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Dentice
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pargo
๐ก Nuance: Menu word. Not every red fish sold as snapper is true red snapper.
firm white reef fish - red snapper is the famous name
Example: Whole roasted snapper. Grouper is the thicker steak cousin.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Pargo / huachinango๐ซ๐ท French: Vivaneau
๐ฉ๐ช German: Schnapper
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Dentice
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Pargo
๐ก Nuance: Menu word. Not every red fish sold as snapper is true red snapper.
๐งฑ Grouper
thick, mild white fish
Example: Grouper sandwich. Firmer than snapper, milder than bluefish.
๐ซ๐ท French: Mรฉrou
๐ฉ๐ช German: Zackenbarsch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Cernia
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Garoupa
๐ก Nuance: Steak-like white fish. Sea bass is the sleeker restaurant name.
thick, mild white fish
Example: Grouper sandwich. Firmer than snapper, milder than bluefish.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Mero๐ซ๐ท French: Mรฉrou
๐ฉ๐ช German: Zackenbarsch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Cernia
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Garoupa
๐ก Nuance: Steak-like white fish. Sea bass is the sleeker restaurant name.
๐ผ Sea Bass
loose menu name for several mild white fish
Example: Chilean sea bass is toothfish. Branzino is Mediterranean sea bass.
๐ซ๐ท French: Bar
๐ฉ๐ช German: Wolfsbarsch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Spigola / branzino
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Robalo
๐ก Nuance: Ask which bass. The words are not one species.
loose menu name for several mild white fish
Example: Chilean sea bass is toothfish. Branzino is Mediterranean sea bass.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Lubina๐ซ๐ท French: Bar
๐ฉ๐ช German: Wolfsbarsch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Spigola / branzino
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Robalo
๐ก Nuance: Ask which bass. The words are not one species.
๐ฎ๐น Branzino
Mediterranean sea bass, often roasted whole
Example: Whole branzino. Sea bass on an Italian menu often means this fish.
๐ซ๐ท French: Bar
๐ฉ๐ช German: Wolfsbarsch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Branzino
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Robalo
๐ก Nuance: One precise sea bass. Not Chilean sea bass.
Mediterranean sea bass, often roasted whole
Example: Whole branzino. Sea bass on an Italian menu often means this fish.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Lubina๐ซ๐ท French: Bar
๐ฉ๐ช German: Wolfsbarsch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Branzino
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Robalo
๐ก Nuance: One precise sea bass. Not Chilean sea bass.
๐ซ Flounder
thin mild flatfish
Example: Fried flounder. Sole is the fancy flatfish name. Halibut is the thick one.
๐ซ๐ท French: Flet
๐ฉ๐ช German: Flunder
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Passera
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Solha
๐ก Nuance: Thin fillet. Skate is a flat cartilaginous fish, not this.
thin mild flatfish
Example: Fried flounder. Sole is the fancy flatfish name. Halibut is the thick one.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Platija๐ซ๐ท French: Flet
๐ฉ๐ช German: Flunder
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Passera
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Solha
๐ก Nuance: Thin fillet. Skate is a flat cartilaginous fish, not this.
๐ง Sole
delicate flatfish - Dover sole is the classic
Example: Sole meuniรจre. Flounder is the everyday stand-in.
๐ซ๐ท French: Sole
๐ฉ๐ช German: Seezunge
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Sogliola
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Linguado
๐ก Nuance: Menu prestige. True Dover sole is not every thin white fillet.
delicate flatfish - Dover sole is the classic
Example: Sole meuniรจre. Flounder is the everyday stand-in.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Lenguado๐ซ๐ท French: Sole
๐ฉ๐ช German: Seezunge
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Sogliola
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Linguado
๐ก Nuance: Menu prestige. True Dover sole is not every thin white fillet.
โ๏ธ Arctic Char
pink cold-water fish between salmon and trout
Example: Arctic char when you want salmon flavor in a smaller fillet.
๐ซ๐ท French: Omble chevalier
๐ฉ๐ช German: Saibling
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salmerino
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Salvelino
๐ก Nuance: Char, not chard. Salmon family.
pink cold-water fish between salmon and trout
Example: Arctic char when you want salmon flavor in a smaller fillet.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Salvelino / trucha alpina๐ซ๐ท French: Omble chevalier
๐ฉ๐ช German: Saibling
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Salmerino
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Salvelino
๐ก Nuance: Char, not chard. Salmon family.
๐ซ๏ธ Pollock
mild white fish used in sticks and fast-food fillets
Example: Fish sticks are often pollock. Cod is the pricier cousin.
๐ซ๐ท French: Lieu / colin
๐ฉ๐ช German: Seelachs
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Merluzzo giallo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Escamudo
๐ก Nuance: Alaska pollock is the volume white fish. German Seelachs is pollock, not salmon.
mild white fish used in sticks and fast-food fillets
Example: Fish sticks are often pollock. Cod is the pricier cousin.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Abadejo / carbonero๐ซ๐ท French: Lieu / colin
๐ฉ๐ช German: Seelachs
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Merluzzo giallo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Escamudo
๐ก Nuance: Alaska pollock is the volume white fish. German Seelachs is pollock, not salmon.
๐ง Tilefish
sweet, lobster-like white fish
Example: Tilefish when a menu wants a rich white fillet. Grouper is meatier.
๐ซ๐ท French: Tile
๐ฉ๐ช German: Ziegelbarsch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Tilefish
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Tilefish
๐ก Nuance: Some tilefish have mercury advice. A menu fish, not a tin fish.
sweet, lobster-like white fish
Example: Tilefish when a menu wants a rich white fillet. Grouper is meatier.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Blanquillo๐ซ๐ท French: Tile
๐ฉ๐ช German: Ziegelbarsch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Tilefish
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Tilefish
๐ก Nuance: Some tilefish have mercury advice. A menu fish, not a tin fish.
๐ Other Fish
๐ฑ Catfish
freshwater fish with barbels, mild when farmed
Example: Fried catfish. Carp is the other freshwater pond fish, muddier if wild.
๐ซ๐ท French: Poisson-chat
๐ฉ๐ช German: Wels / Katzenwels
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pesce gatto
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Bagre / peixe-gato
๐ก Nuance: Southern fry fish. Not a saltwater bass.
freshwater fish with barbels, mild when farmed
Example: Fried catfish. Carp is the other freshwater pond fish, muddier if wild.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Bagre๐ซ๐ท French: Poisson-chat
๐ฉ๐ช German: Wels / Katzenwels
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pesce gatto
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Bagre / peixe-gato
๐ก Nuance: Southern fry fish. Not a saltwater bass.
๐ Carp
freshwater fish, prized in some kitchens and ignored in others
Example: Carp in a holiday broth. Catfish is the American fry default.
๐ซ๐ท French: Carpe
๐ฉ๐ช German: Karpfen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Carpa
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Carpa
๐ก Nuance: Gefilte fish often starts here. Not a reef fish.
freshwater fish, prized in some kitchens and ignored in others
Example: Carp in a holiday broth. Catfish is the American fry default.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Carpa๐ซ๐ท French: Carpe
๐ฉ๐ช German: Karpfen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Carpa
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Carpa
๐ก Nuance: Gefilte fish often starts here. Not a reef fish.
ใฐ๏ธ Eel
long snakelike fish, rich and fatty
Example: Unagi is freshwater eel. Anago is conger. Both are eel on an English menu.
๐ซ๐ท French: Anguille
๐ฉ๐ช German: Aal
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Anguilla
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Enguia
๐ก Nuance: Texture like rich fish, not like squid.
long snakelike fish, rich and fatty
Example: Unagi is freshwater eel. Anago is conger. Both are eel on an English menu.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Anguila๐ซ๐ท French: Anguille
๐ฉ๐ช German: Aal
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Anguilla
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Enguia
๐ก Nuance: Texture like rich fish, not like squid.
๐ต Bluefish
oily, strong Atlantic fish
Example: Fresh bluefish the same day. It turns strong fast. Mackerel is the smaller oily cousin.
๐ซ๐ท French: Tassergal
๐ฉ๐ช German: Blaufisch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pesce serra
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Anchova
๐ก Nuance: Not bluefin tuna. A different strong fish.
oily, strong Atlantic fish
Example: Fresh bluefish the same day. It turns strong fast. Mackerel is the smaller oily cousin.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Anjova / pez azul๐ซ๐ท French: Tassergal
๐ฉ๐ช German: Blaufisch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pesce serra
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Anchova
๐ก Nuance: Not bluefin tuna. A different strong fish.
๐ Mullet
coastal fish - the roe is bottarga
Example: Smoked mullet in the Gulf. The haircut is the other English meaning.
๐ซ๐ท French: Mulet
๐ฉ๐ช German: Meerรคsche
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Muggine
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Tainha
๐ก Nuance: Fish first on this page. Haircut is a joke meaning.
coastal fish - the roe is bottarga
Example: Smoked mullet in the Gulf. The haircut is the other English meaning.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Lisa / mรบjol๐ซ๐ท French: Mulet
๐ฉ๐ช German: Meerรคsche
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Muggine
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Tainha
๐ก Nuance: Fish first on this page. Haircut is a joke meaning.
๐ก Perch
small mild freshwater fish
Example: Lake perch fry. Pike is the longer, bonier lake fish.
๐ซ๐ท French: Perche
๐ฉ๐ช German: Barsch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pesce persico
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Perca
๐ก Nuance: Ocean perch on a menu may be a rockfish, not lake perch.
small mild freshwater fish
Example: Lake perch fry. Pike is the longer, bonier lake fish.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Perca๐ซ๐ท French: Perche
๐ฉ๐ช German: Barsch
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Pesce persico
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Perca
๐ก Nuance: Ocean perch on a menu may be a rockfish, not lake perch.
๐ก๏ธ Pike
long freshwater predator with many bones
Example: Pike dumplings. Perch is easier to eat as a fillet.
๐ซ๐ท French: Brochet
๐ฉ๐ช German: Hecht
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Luccio
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Lรบcio
๐ก Nuance: Quenelles de brochet start here. Not a saltwater billfish.
long freshwater predator with many bones
Example: Pike dumplings. Perch is easier to eat as a fillet.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Lucio๐ซ๐ท French: Brochet
๐ฉ๐ช German: Hecht
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Luccio
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Lรบcio
๐ก Nuance: Quenelles de brochet start here. Not a saltwater billfish.
๐ธ Monkfish
ugly bottom fish with a dense tail that cooks like lobster
Example: Monkfish tail. People call it poor manโs lobster.
๐ซ๐ท French: Lotte
๐ฉ๐ช German: Seeteufel
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Coda di rospo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Tamboril
๐ก Nuance: Tail meat only on most plates. Not a shellfish.
ugly bottom fish with a dense tail that cooks like lobster
Example: Monkfish tail. People call it poor manโs lobster.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Rape๐ซ๐ท French: Lotte
๐ฉ๐ช German: Seeteufel
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Coda di rospo
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Tamboril
๐ก Nuance: Tail meat only on most plates. Not a shellfish.
๐ช Skate
ray with wing meat in striated sheets
Example: Skate with brown butter. It looks like a fan, not a fillet of cod.
๐ซ๐ท French: Raie
๐ฉ๐ช German: Rochen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Razza
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Raia
๐ก Nuance: Cartilage, not bone. Flounder is a bony flatfish.
ray with wing meat in striated sheets
Example: Skate with brown butter. It looks like a fan, not a fillet of cod.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Raya๐ซ๐ท French: Raie
๐ฉ๐ช German: Rochen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Razza
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Raia
๐ก Nuance: Cartilage, not bone. Flounder is a bony flatfish.
๐ฆ Shellfish & Squid
๐ฆ Shrimp
small swimming shellfish - the default American word
Example: Shrimp cocktail. Prawns is the other English word for the same counter.
๐ซ๐ท French: Crevettes
๐ฉ๐ช German: Garnelen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Gamberetti / gamberi
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Camarรตes
๐ก Nuance: US menus say shrimp. UK menus often say prawns. Size rules are messy.
small swimming shellfish - the default American word
Example: Shrimp cocktail. Prawns is the other English word for the same counter.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Camarones๐ซ๐ท French: Crevettes
๐ฉ๐ช German: Garnelen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Gamberetti / gamberi
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Camarรตes
๐ก Nuance: US menus say shrimp. UK menus often say prawns. Size rules are messy.
๐ฆ Prawns
the other common word for shrimp, often the larger ones
Example: Garlic prawns. In American English this still means shrimp.
๐ซ๐ท French: Crevettes / langoustines
๐ฉ๐ช German: Garnelen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Gamberi
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Gambas / camarรตes
๐ก Nuance: Biology splits shrimp and prawns. Shops usually do not.
the other common word for shrimp, often the larger ones
Example: Garlic prawns. In American English this still means shrimp.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Langostinos / camarones๐ซ๐ท French: Crevettes / langoustines
๐ฉ๐ช German: Garnelen
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Gamberi
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Gambas / camarรตes
๐ก Nuance: Biology splits shrimp and prawns. Shops usually do not.
๐ฆ Crab
ten-legged shellfish with claws
Example: Crab cake. Lobster is the larger clawed cousin. Crawfish is the small freshwater one.
๐ซ๐ท French: Crabe
๐ฉ๐ช German: Krabbe / Krebs
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Granchio
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Caranguejo
๐ก Nuance: Soft-shell crab is the same animal after a molt.
ten-legged shellfish with claws
Example: Crab cake. Lobster is the larger clawed cousin. Crawfish is the small freshwater one.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Cangrejo๐ซ๐ท French: Crabe
๐ฉ๐ช German: Krabbe / Krebs
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Granchio
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Caranguejo
๐ก Nuance: Soft-shell crab is the same animal after a molt.
๐ฆ Lobster
large clawed marine shellfish
Example: Lobster roll. Langoustine is a smaller relative. Crawfish is freshwater.
๐ซ๐ท French: Homard
๐ฉ๐ช German: Hummer
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Astice / aragosta
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Lagosta
๐ก Nuance: American lobster has big claws. Spiny lobster does not.
large clawed marine shellfish
Example: Lobster roll. Langoustine is a smaller relative. Crawfish is freshwater.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Langosta๐ซ๐ท French: Homard
๐ฉ๐ช German: Hummer
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Astice / aragosta
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Lagosta
๐ก Nuance: American lobster has big claws. Spiny lobster does not.
๐ฆ Crawfish
small freshwater lobster - also crayfish or crawdads
Example: Crawfish boil. Not crab and not ocean lobster.
๐ซ๐ท French: รcrevisse
๐ฉ๐ช German: Flusskrebs
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Gambero di fiume
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Lagostim
๐ก Nuance: Three English names. Louisiana says crawfish.
small freshwater lobster - also crayfish or crawdads
Example: Crawfish boil. Not crab and not ocean lobster.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Cangrejo de rรญo๐ซ๐ท French: รcrevisse
๐ฉ๐ช German: Flusskrebs
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Gambero di fiume
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Lagostim
๐ก Nuance: Three English names. Louisiana says crawfish.
โช Scallops
sweet adductor muscle from a fan shell
Example: Seared scallops. Oysters stay in the shell and taste of the sea.
๐ซ๐ท French: Coquilles Saint-Jacques
๐ฉ๐ช German: Jakobsmuscheln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Capesante
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Vieiras
๐ก Nuance: Bay scallops are small. Sea scallops are the big coins.
sweet adductor muscle from a fan shell
Example: Seared scallops. Oysters stay in the shell and taste of the sea.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Vieiras๐ซ๐ท French: Coquilles Saint-Jacques
๐ฉ๐ช German: Jakobsmuscheln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Capesante
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Vieiras
๐ก Nuance: Bay scallops are small. Sea scallops are the big coins.
๐ฆช Oysters
raw or cooked bivalves with a briny liquor
Example: Oysters on the half shell. Clams are the chowder bivalve.
๐ซ๐ท French: Huรฎtres
๐ฉ๐ช German: Austern
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Ostriche
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Ostras
๐ก Nuance: Raw bar star. Mussels are the black-shell pot cousin.
raw or cooked bivalves with a briny liquor
Example: Oysters on the half shell. Clams are the chowder bivalve.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Ostras๐ซ๐ท French: Huรฎtres
๐ฉ๐ช German: Austern
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Ostriche
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Ostras
๐ก Nuance: Raw bar star. Mussels are the black-shell pot cousin.
๐ค Mussels
dark-shelled bivalves cooked in a pot
Example: Mussels in white wine. Clams are the paler shell in a chowder.
๐ซ๐ท French: Moules
๐ฉ๐ช German: Miesmuscheln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Cozze
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Mexilhรตes
๐ก Nuance: Beard is the threads you pull off. Not an oyster.
dark-shelled bivalves cooked in a pot
Example: Mussels in white wine. Clams are the paler shell in a chowder.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Mejillones๐ซ๐ท French: Moules
๐ฉ๐ช German: Miesmuscheln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Cozze
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Mexilhรตes
๐ก Nuance: Beard is the threads you pull off. Not an oyster.
๐ Clams
bivalves for chowder, pasta, or steaming
Example: Clam chowder. Littlenecks are small hard clams.
๐ซ๐ท French: Palourdes / clam
๐ฉ๐ช German: Venusmuscheln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Vongole
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Amรชijoas
๐ก Nuance: Soft-shell steamers vs. hard-shell quahogs. Both are clams.
bivalves for chowder, pasta, or steaming
Example: Clam chowder. Littlenecks are small hard clams.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Almejas๐ซ๐ท French: Palourdes / clam
๐ฉ๐ช German: Venusmuscheln
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Vongole
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Amรชijoas
๐ก Nuance: Soft-shell steamers vs. hard-shell quahogs. Both are clams.
๐ฆ Squid
cephalopod sold as rings or tubes - calamari on menus
Example: Fried calamari is squid. Not a fish and not a shrimp.
๐ซ๐ท French: Calmar / encornet
๐ฉ๐ช German: Tintenfisch / Kalmar
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Calamaro
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Lula
๐ก Nuance: Calamari is the dish name. The animal is squid. Octopus is a different cephalopod.
cephalopod sold as rings or tubes - calamari on menus
Example: Fried calamari is squid. Not a fish and not a shrimp.
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Spanish: Calamar๐ซ๐ท French: Calmar / encornet
๐ฉ๐ช German: Tintenfisch / Kalmar
๐ฎ๐น Italian: Calamaro
๐ต๐น Portuguese: Lula
๐ก Nuance: Calamari is the dish name. The animal is squid. Octopus is a different cephalopod.
๐ง Useful Distinctions
โช Cod vs. ๐ก Haddock vs. ๐ซ๏ธ Pollock
Three white flaky cousins. Cod is the classic. Haddock is a bit sweeter. Pollock is the volume fish.
Three white flaky cousins. Cod is the classic. Haddock is a bit sweeter. Pollock is the volume fish.
๐ฆ Shrimp vs. Prawns
Shops treat them as one animal. US says shrimp. UK often says prawns.
Shops treat them as one animal. US says shrimp. UK often says prawns.
๐ฆ Lobster vs. Crawfish vs. ๐ฆ Crab
Lobster is ocean and large. Crawfish is freshwater and small. Crab is the wide shell with claws.
Lobster is ocean and large. Crawfish is freshwater and small. Crab is the wide shell with claws.
๐ฆช Oysters vs. ๐ค Mussels vs. ๐ Clams vs. โช Scallops
Oysters are raw-bar. Mussels go in a pot. Clams go in chowder. Scallops are the seared coins.
Oysters are raw-bar. Mussels go in a pot. Clams go in chowder. Scallops are the seared coins.
๐ผ Sea bass vs. ๐ฎ๐น Branzino
Sea bass is a loose label. Branzino is Mediterranean sea bass.
Sea bass is a loose label. Branzino is Mediterranean sea bass.
๐ซ Flounder vs. ๐ง Sole vs. ๐ง Halibut vs. ๐ช Skate
Three bony flatfish by thickness. Skate is a ray wing.
Three bony flatfish by thickness. Skate is a ray wing.
๐ฉท Salmon vs. ๐๏ธ Trout vs. โ๏ธ Arctic char
Same family. Salmon is the big pink one. Trout is smaller. Char sits in the middle.
Same family. Salmon is the big pink one. Trout is smaller. Char sits in the middle.
๐ฌ Everyday Seafood Phrases
๐ฆ In the US it is shrimp. In the UK it is often prawns.
two words, one counter
๐ซ๐ท Aux รtats-Unis on dit shrimp. Au Royaume-Uni, souvent prawns.
๐ฉ๐ช In den USA heiรt es shrimp. In Groรbritannien oft prawns.
๐ฎ๐น Negli USA รจ shrimp. Nel Regno Unito spesso prawns.
๐ต๐น Nos EUA รฉ shrimp. No Reino Unido costuma ser prawns.
two words, one counter
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ En EE. UU. es shrimp. En el Reino Unido suele ser prawns.๐ซ๐ท Aux รtats-Unis on dit shrimp. Au Royaume-Uni, souvent prawns.
๐ฉ๐ช In den USA heiรt es shrimp. In Groรbritannien oft prawns.
๐ฎ๐น Negli USA รจ shrimp. Nel Regno Unito spesso prawns.
๐ต๐น Nos EUA รฉ shrimp. No Reino Unido costuma ser prawns.
๐ฆ Calamari on the menu means squid.
dish name vs. animal
๐ซ๐ท Calamari sur la carte, cโest du calmar.
๐ฉ๐ช Calamari auf der Karte heiรt Tintenfisch.
๐ฎ๐น I calamari nel menu sono totani o calamari.
๐ต๐น Calamari no menu รฉ lula.
dish name vs. animal
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Calamari en la carta es calamar.๐ซ๐ท Calamari sur la carte, cโest du calmar.
๐ฉ๐ช Calamari auf der Karte heiรt Tintenfisch.
๐ฎ๐น I calamari nel menu sono totani o calamari.
๐ต๐น Calamari no menu รฉ lula.
๐ฎ๐น Branzino is one sea bass. Sea bass is not one fish.
precise vs. loose
๐ซ๐ท Le branzino est un bar. Sea bass nโest pas un seul poisson.
๐ฉ๐ช Branzino ist ein Wolfsbarsch. Sea bass ist kein einzelner Fisch.
๐ฎ๐น Il branzino รจ una spigola. Sea bass non รจ un solo pesce.
๐ต๐น Branzino รฉ um robalo. Sea bass nรฃo รฉ um sรณ peixe.
precise vs. loose
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Branzino es una lubina. Sea bass no es un solo pez.๐ซ๐ท Le branzino est un bar. Sea bass nโest pas un seul poisson.
๐ฉ๐ช Branzino ist ein Wolfsbarsch. Sea bass ist kein einzelner Fisch.
๐ฎ๐น Il branzino รจ una spigola. Sea bass non รจ un solo pesce.
๐ต๐น Branzino รฉ um robalo. Sea bass nรฃo รฉ um sรณ peixe.
๐ฆ Crawfish, crayfish, and crawdads are the same animal.
three names
๐ซ๐ท Crawfish, crayfish et crawdads, cโest le mรชme animal.
๐ฉ๐ช Crawfish, crayfish und crawdads sind dasselbe Tier.
๐ฎ๐น Crawfish, crayfish e crawdads sono lo stesso animale.
๐ต๐น Crawfish, crayfish e crawdads sรฃo o mesmo animal.
three names
Show translations
๐ช๐ธ Crawfish, crayfish y crawdads son el mismo animal.๐ซ๐ท Crawfish, crayfish et crawdads, cโest le mรชme animal.
๐ฉ๐ช Crawfish, crayfish und crawdads sind dasselbe Tier.
๐ฎ๐น Crawfish, crayfish e crawdads sono lo stesso animale.
๐ต๐น Crawfish, crayfish e crawdads sรฃo o mesmo animal.
๐ Final Practice
English in the Real World:
Read the situation. Choose the more precise seafood word.
Read the situation. Choose the more precise seafood word.
Question 1 of 8
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Correct: 0
โ Questions: 0
๐ฏ Accuracy: 0%