mojarra: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical (ichthyology), Regional (culinary, Latin American Spanish), Informal (metaphorical use)
Quick answer
What does “mojarra” mean?
Any of various small, silvery, deep-bodied fish, typically marine but also found in brackish and fresh waters, often with spiny fins.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Any of various small, silvery, deep-bodied fish, typically marine but also found in brackish and fresh waters, often with spiny fins.
Refers specifically to members of the families Gerreidae (mojarras) and Ephippidae (spadefishes). In culinary contexts, it denotes the fish prepared as food, often fried whole. In regional Spanish, can refer to a small coin or something of little value.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is equally rare in both dialects. It is most likely encountered in scientific texts, travel writing about Latin America, or menus in restaurants serving Latin American cuisine.
Connotations
Neutral scientific/culinary term. No significant dialectal connotative differences.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both BrE and AmE general corpora. Slightly higher potential exposure in AmE due to geographic and cultural proximity to Latin America.
Grammar
How to Use “mojarra” in a Sentence
The fisherman caught a [mojarra].They serve [fried mojarra] here.The [mojarra] is a common [catch] in these waters.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in the seafood import/restaurant industry.
Academic
Used in zoology, marine biology, and ecology papers.
Everyday
Very rare in English everyday conversation except when discussing specific Latin American cuisine or fishing.
Technical
Standard term in ichthyology for fish of the family Gerreidae.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mojarra”
- Mispronouncing the 'j' as /dʒ/ (like in 'jam') instead of /h/.
- Using it as a general term for any small fish.
- Misspelling as 'mojara', 'moharra'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, specialised term borrowed from Spanish, used mainly in specific scientific or culinary contexts.
In English, it is typically pronounced /moʊˈhɑːrə/ (American) or /məʊˈhærə/ (British). The 'j' is pronounced like an 'h'.
No, it refers specifically to fish of the families Gerreidae or Ephippidae. Using it as a generic term is incorrect in technical usage.
Associate it with a specific context, like 'Mexican fried fish' or 'silvery panfish', and remember the pronunciation of the 'j'.
Any of various small, silvery, deep-bodied fish, typically marine but also found in brackish and fresh waters, often with spiny fins.
Mojarra is usually technical (ichthyology), regional (culinary, latin american spanish), informal (metaphorical use) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not worth a mojarra (regional Spanish idiom meaning 'worthless').”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MO-HAWK wearing a fish (JARR-A). The mohawk is small and silvery like the mojarra fish.
Conceptual Metaphor
SMALL/INSIGNIFICANT ENTITY IS A MOJARRA (from regional Spanish metaphorical use).
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you MOST likely to encounter the word 'mojarra' in English?