The Spanish word for "fat" is gordo when referring to a masculine noun or individual, and gorda when referring to a feminine noun or individual.
The Core Translation
The most common and direct translation for the English word "fat" into Spanish, especially when describing a person or an animal, is gordo. However, Spanish, like many Romance languages, uses grammatical gender, meaning the adjective must agree in gender with the noun it modifies.
Understanding Gender Agreement
When using "gordo" as an adjective, it changes its ending to match the gender of the noun it describes:
- Gordo (masculine singular): Used for masculine nouns (e.g., el hombre gordo - the fat man).
- Gorda (feminine singular): Used for feminine nouns (e.g., la mujer gorda - the fat woman).
For plural forms, an 's' is added:
- Gordos (masculine plural): Used for multiple masculine nouns or a mixed group (e.g., los perros gordos - the fat dogs).
- Gordas (feminine plural): Used for multiple feminine nouns (e.g., las vacas gordas - the fat cows).
This grammatical feature is crucial for correct usage in Spanish.
| English | Spanish (Masculine) | Spanish (Feminine) |
|---|---|---|
| Fat | Gordo | Gorda |
Using "Gordo" and "Gorda" in Sentences
Here are a few examples of how "gordo" and "gorda" are used:
- Mi gato es muy gordo. (My cat is very fat.)
- Ella es una chica gorda. (She is a fat girl.)
- Los cerdos son gordos. (The pigs are fat.)
- Las manzanas son gordas. (The apples are fat - less common, usually implying plump or large).
While "gordo/gorda" is the most common translation for "fat" in terms of body size, other words might be used depending on the context, such as referring to fat in food (e.g., grasa for grease/fat content) or thickness of an object. However, for describing a living being as "fat," gordo or gorda is the exact and primary term.
