Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Fat in Spanish: Gordo, Grasa, and Cultural Context You Should Know
Gordo/Gorda · adjective / noun · GOR-doh / GOR-dah
Fat in Spanish is gordo/gorda as an adjective describing size, and grasa as a noun for the substance (body fat or cooking fat). An important cultural note: gordo and gorda are commonly used as affectionate nicknames between romantic partners, family members, and close friends throughout the Spanish-speaking world — much like 'honey' or 'babe' in English. This usage carries no negative connotation about body size.
Gordo: GOR-doh — two syllables, stress on the first. Gorda: GOR-dah. Grasa: GRAH-sah — two syllables, stress on the first.
El gato está gordo porque come demasiado.
The cat is fat because he eats too much.
Fat in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for fat, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| gordo/gorda | fat | GOR-doh / GOR-dah | Default, widely understood |
| grasa | fat | noun — the substance fat (body fat, cooking fat) | |
| obeso/obesa | fat | clinical/medical term — obese | |
| grueso/gruesa | fat | thick, stout — a softer physical descriptor | |
| rechoncho/rechoncha | fat | chubby, plump — informal but affectionate |
How Native Speakers Use Gordo/Gorda
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Describing an animal
Ese perro está muy gordo; el veterinario dice que necesita una dieta.
That dog is very fat; the vet says he needs a diet.
Using gordo to describe animals is neutral and carries no social sensitivity.
Affectionate nickname
¡Gordo, ven a cenar que la comida ya está lista!
Honey, come eat dinner — the food is ready!
Gordo/gorda as a term of endearment is extremely common across Latin America and Spain. It does not reference body size.
Cooking context (noun: grasa)
Retira el exceso de grasa de la sartén antes de añadir las verduras.
Remove the excess fat from the pan before adding the vegetables.
Grasa is the noun for fat as a substance — cooking fat, body fat, or grease.
Clinical language
El informe médico indica que el paciente es clínicamente obeso.
The medical report indicates the patient is clinically obese.
Obeso/obesa is the medical term. It is formal and should be reserved for clinical contexts.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Gordo/Gorda
Using gordo when grasa is needed
Incorrect: Esta comida tiene mucho gordo.
Correct: Esta comida tiene mucha grasa.
Gordo is an adjective (or a noun meaning a fat person/affectionate nickname). For the substance fat, use grasa. Grasa is feminine: mucha grasa.
Misunderstanding gordo as always offensive
Incorrect: Assuming 'gordo/gorda' is always rude in Spanish.
Correct: Recognizing that gordo/gorda is a widespread term of endearment between loved ones.
Unlike English, where calling someone 'fat' is nearly always negative, gordo/gorda has a dual life in Spanish. When used as a nickname between partners or family, it is affectionate and carries no judgment about weight.
Lock in Fat Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
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See Gordo/Gorda used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using gordo/gorda in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El gato está gordo porque come demasiado. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
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Common Questions About Fat in Spanish
- Is gordo/gorda offensive in Spanish?
- It depends entirely on context. When describing someone's body critically, it can be hurtful — just as in English. But gordo/gorda is also one of the most common affectionate nicknames in Spanish, used between couples, parents and children, and close friends, with no reference to weight.
- How do I say 'low-fat' in Spanish?
- Bajo en grasa or con poca grasa. On food packaging you will often see bajo en grasa, light, or descremado (for dairy).
- What is the difference between gordo and obeso?
- Gordo is everyday and informal — it can describe anyone or anything overweight, or be used affectionately. Obeso is a medical term equivalent to 'obese' and is used in clinical settings. Using obeso casually sounds harsh and overly clinical.