Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Catfish in Spanish
Bagre · noun · BAH-greh
The Spanish word for catfish is 'bagre,' a masculine noun used throughout Latin America for this freshwater fish known for its whisker-like barbels. The literal translation 'pez gato' (cat fish) also exists but is less commonly used in everyday speech. Bagre is a popular food fish in many Latin American countries.
Bagre is pronounced BAH-greh. It is a short, two-syllable word with the stress on the first syllable.
Pescamos un bagre enorme en el río ayer.
We caught a huge catfish in the river yesterday.
catfish in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for catfish, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| bagre | catfish | BAH-greh | Default, widely understood |
| pez gato | catfish | literal translation, used in some regions | |
| barbo | catfish | some South American countries |
How Native Speakers Use Bagre
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Fishing
El bagre se pesca mejor de noche en los ríos grandes.
Catfish are best caught at night in large rivers.
Fishing advice about catfish behavior.
Cooking
El bagre frito con limón y sal es delicioso.
Fried catfish with lime and salt is delicious.
Describing a popular way to prepare catfish.
Market shopping
¿Tiene bagre fresco hoy en la pescadería?
Do you have fresh catfish today at the fish market?
Buying fish at a local market.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Bagre
Literal translation
Incorrect: Me gusta comer pez gato.
Correct: Me gusta comer bagre.
While 'pez gato' is understandable, the standard word in most Spanish-speaking countries is 'bagre.' Using the literal translation sounds unnatural.
Slang confusion
Incorrect: Ella es un bagre. (thinking it means catfish as in fake identity)
Correct: Context matters: in some countries, 'bagre' is slang for an unattractive person.
In some Latin American slang, 'bagre' can be used pejoratively. Be aware of this secondary meaning to avoid unintended offense.
Lock in catfish Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Bagre used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using bagre in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Pescamos un bagre enorme en el río ayer. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About catfish in Spanish
- Is bagre the same fish everywhere in Latin America?
- The word 'bagre' is used broadly across Latin America, though it can refer to different species of catfish depending on the local waters — the Amazon region alone has dozens of catfish varieties.
- Does pez gato mean catfish?
- 'Pez gato' is the literal translation of catfish (cat + fish) and is understood in most regions, though native speakers almost always prefer 'bagre' in everyday speech and at restaurants.
- Is catfish popular in Spanish-speaking countries?
- Catfish is a staple protein in many river communities across Latin America, particularly in Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina, where fried bagre is a traditional dish.