Spanish word

almeja

Pronunciation

IPA/alˈmexa/

Meaning

  • feminine nounclam

Example

Compré almejas para la cena.

I bought clams for dinner.

Illustration for almeja (clam)

More examples

Vamos a cocinar almejas al vapor esta noche.

We're going to cook clams by steaming them tonight.

Core concept

Edible bivalve with two thin shells half-buried in sand or mud.

Common phrases

  • comprar almejas

    buy clams

  • cocinar almejas

    cook clams

  • almejas frescas

    fresh clams

Similar words

mejillón: Edible bivalve that attaches in dense clusters to rocks, piers, or harbor walls.
ostra: Edible bivalve with irregular, rough shells and relatively thick, meaty flesh.
berberecho: Small edible bivalve with rounded shells that inhabits the intertidal zone.
chirla: Small edible bivalve living in sandy seabeds, commonly harvested as tiny clams.

Definition in Spanish

Molusco bivalvo comestible que vive en fondos arenosos o fangosos de zonas costeras y estuarios, protegido por dos conchas que encierran la carne.

Word origin

From a medieval Iberian borrowing of an Arabic word that entered Spanish with the definite article al- to name this coastal bivalve.

Usage tips

  • On menus and when ordering, add the cooking style after almejas (for example almejas a la marinera or almejas al vapor) because listings often show the ingredient but not the preparation.

Word lists with this word