Bedeutung
To be in excellent physical health.
Kultureller Hintergrund
Health is a primary social currency. Asking 'Come stai?' is not just a formality; people often give detailed answers. Being 'sano come un pesce' is the ultimate positive status. Italian doctors often use colloquialisms to build rapport. Using this idiom helps humanize the clinical relationship. In places like Sicily or Puglia, the connection to the sea makes this idiom feel even more grounded in daily life. There is a belief that talking too much about being healthy might attract 'malocchio' (the evil eye). Sometimes people follow this phrase with 'toccando ferro' (touching iron).
Agreement is Key
Don't forget to change 'sano' to 'sana' or 'sani' depending on who you are talking about!
Not for Mental Health
Only use this for physical health. For mental health, use 'sano di mente'.
Bedeutung
To be in excellent physical health.
Agreement is Key
Don't forget to change 'sano' to 'sana' or 'sani' depending on who you are talking about!
Not for Mental Health
Only use this for physical health. For mental health, use 'sano di mente'.
Use with 'Sentirsi'
Instead of 'essere', use 'sentirsi' (to feel) to sound more natural when talking about yourself: 'Mi sento sano come un pesce!'
The 'Nonno' Rule
This is the most common way to compliment an elderly person's health in Italy.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'sano' and the animal.
Mia sorella mangia bene e fa sport, per questo è _______ come un _______.
The subject is 'mia sorella' (feminine singular), so we use 'sana'. The idiom always uses 'pesce'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Talking about two brothers:
In the idiom, 'un pesce' stays singular even if the subject is plural. 'Sani' must be plural to match 'Loro'.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: Your friend just finished a marathon and feels great.
'Sano come un pesce' is the correct idiom for being in great physical shape.
Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.
A: 'Come sono andate le analisi del sangue?' B: 'Benissimo! Il medico ha detto che _______.'
The person is talking about their own results (singular) and health.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to use 'Sano come un pesce'
People
- • Grandparents
- • Children
- • Yourself
Contexts
- • After a cold
- • Medical checkup
- • Gym
Agreement
- • Sano (M)
- • Sana (F)
- • Sani (Pl)
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenMia sorella mangia bene e fa sport, per questo è _______ come un _______.
The subject is 'mia sorella' (feminine singular), so we use 'sana'. The idiom always uses 'pesce'.
Talking about two brothers:
In the idiom, 'un pesce' stays singular even if the subject is plural. 'Sani' must be plural to match 'Loro'.
Situation: Your friend just finished a marathon and feels great.
'Sano come un pesce' is the correct idiom for being in great physical shape.
A: 'Come sono andate le analisi del sangue?' B: 'Benissimo! Il medico ha detto che _______.'
The person is talking about their own results (singular) and health.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenYes, just change 'sano' to 'sana'. Example: 'Lei è sana come un pesce.'
It's neutral. You can use it with friends, family, and even doctors.
It's a cultural tradition based on the idea that fish are always 'fresh' and never get sick in the water.
No, 'come un cane' is usually negative, like 'stanco come un cane' (tired as a dog).
Not necessarily strong/muscular, but healthy and free of disease.
Yes, you can use it for animals too! 'Il mio cane è sano come un pesce.'
Yes: 'sani come un pesce' (masculine) or 'sane come un pesce' (feminine).
No, the idiom is fixed with 'pesce'.
Yes, it is a standard Italian idiom used from North to South.
No, it only describes the health of living beings.
There isn't a direct 'fish' opposite. You would say 'essere malaticcio' or 'stare male'.
Only if you are talking about someone's health personally; it's a bit too informal for business strategy.
Verwandte Redewendungen
fresco come una rosa
similarTo be well-rested and looking good.
muto come un pesce
similarTo be very silent or keep a secret.
essere una roccia
synonymTo be very strong and healthy.
in gran forma
synonymIn great shape.
prendere un pesce in faccia
contrastTo be insulted or treated badly.
stare bene
builds onTo be well.
