Spanish word

mejillón

Pronunciation

IPA/mexiˈʝon/

Meaning

  • masculine nounmussel

Example

Quiero mejillones al vapor, por favor.

I'd like steamed mussels, please.

Illustration for mejillón (mussel)

More examples

¿Te apetecen mejillones con vino blanco?

Do you fancy mussels in white wine?

Core concept

Cluster of dark-shelled bivalve mollusks clinging to a rock.

Common phrases

  • ración de mejillones

    portion of mussels

  • mejillones a la marinera

    sailor-style mussels

  • mejillones con vino blanco

    mussels in white wine

Similar words

almeja: Plump round-shelled edible bivalve that lives in sand or tucks into rock crevices.
ostra: Edible bivalve with uneven, often rough shell whose soft flesh is eaten after opening it.

Definition in Spanish

Molusco bivalvo comestible llamado mejillón, de conchas gemelas unidas por una bisagra y que suele vivir en colonias adheridas a las rocas.

Word origin

From Portuguese mexilhão, ultimately from Greek mytilos 'mussel', with regular medieval Romance sound changes producing the Spanish form.

Usage tips

  • In markets and shops mejillones are usually sold by weight, so phrases like medio kilo or un kilo are commonly used.

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