Is bouillabaisse a soup or a stew?

It is usually called a fish soup or a fish stew. It is often thicker and fuller than plain soup.

Is bouillabaisse a common word in English?

It is not very common in daily conversation. People often use it when talking about French food or restaurants.

Can I use bouillabaisse for any seafood soup?

Not really. It refers to a specific French dish, so it is more exact than seafood soup.

← Dictionary

bouillabaisse

/ˌbuː.jəˈbeɪs/

IELTSAcademic

noun

Bouillabaisse is a French fish soup or stew made with fish, shellfish, vegetables, and herbs. It is often served as a rich, special dish.

We ordered bouillabaisse at the French restaurant.
The bouillabaisse had fish, mussels, and tomatoes.

Adinary Nuance

Bouillabaisse is more specific than fish soup. It usually suggests a French recipe, a rich broth, and seafood cooked together. Use it when you want the exact dish, not any general seafood soup or stew.

In other languages

Vietnamese: canh cá kiểu Pháp
Spanish: sopa de pescado
Chinese: 马赛鱼汤
Japanese: ブイヤベース
Korean: 부야베스

Etymology

Bouillabaisse comes from French, especially the Marseille region. It entered English in the 19th century as the name of a traditional fish stew.

Common phrases

a bowl of bouillabaisseclassic bouillabaisseMarseille bouillabaisse

Synonyms

fish stew seafood soup

Related words

soup stew seafood broth

Frequently asked questions

Is bouillabaisse a soup or a stew?: It is usually called a fish soup or a fish stew. It is often thicker and fuller than plain soup.
Is bouillabaisse a common word in English?: It is not very common in daily conversation. People often use it when talking about French food or restaurants.
Can I use bouillabaisse for any seafood soup?: Not really. It refers to a specific French dish, so it is more exact than seafood soup.