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B1 adjective #6,000 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

obeso/a

Top 6,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces obeso/a en 30 secondes

Explication obeso/a in your Level:

At the A1 level, you generally learn simple physical descriptions. While 'obeso' might be too advanced for daily conversation, you might see it in simple health charts. You should focus on how it changes from 'obeso' to 'obesa'. Example: 'Él es obeso'. It is a basic building block for describing people beyond just 'alto' (tall) or 'bajo' (short). You will learn that 'ser' is the verb used for these descriptions. It is important to know that this word is more serious than 'gordo'. At this stage, just recognize that it means 'very fat'.

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In A2, you start discussing health, food, and lifestyle. You will encounter 'obeso' when talking about doctors and healthy habits. You might say, 'Comer mucho azúcar te hace obeso'. You will also learn to use the plural 'obesos'. You'll start to distinguish between 'gordo' (common) and 'obeso' (clinical). You will practice forming simple sentences about health risks. For example, 'Los perros obesos no pueden correr'. This helps you build a vocabulary for basic medical needs and descriptions of people in your community.

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At the B1 level, you are expected to understand more formal vocabulary. 'Obeso' is a key word for discussing social issues like the 'epidemia de obesidad'. You will use it in more complex sentences with conjunctions. For instance, 'Aunque es obeso, hace mucho ejercicio para mejorar su salud'. You will also learn the noun 'obesidad'. You should be able to read short articles about health and identify 'obeso' as a formal term. You will start using adverbs to modify it, such as 'clínicamente obeso'. This level focuses on moving from casual to professional language.

By B2, you should use 'obeso' in debates about public policy, nutrition, and psychology. You'll understand the nuance of using 'obeso' versus 'persona con obesidad'. You will see it in scientific reports and news analysis. You can discuss the causes of why a population is 'obesa'. You will use it in the subjunctive: 'Es necesario que el gobierno ayude a los niños obesos'. You will also encounter the word in literary contexts where a writer wants to be precise. You should be comfortable using it as both an adjective and a noun in formal essays.

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At C1, you explore the sociological and political implications of the word. You will analyze how the term 'obeso' is used in medical discourse and whether it contributes to social stigma. You'll use it in sophisticated structures: 'Si bien el sujeto es calificado como obeso, sus marcadores metabólicos son normales'. You will understand related technical terms like 'adiposidad' or 'índice de masa corporal'. You can write detailed reports on healthcare systems where 'el paciente obeso' is a central figure. Your usage will be precise, reflecting an understanding of register and tone.

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At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'obeso'. You can use it in academic research, medical translations, or high-level journalism. You understand the etymological roots and how they differ from other Romance languages. You can debate the ethics of labeling individuals as 'obesos' in a clinical setting. You'll recognize it in complex literature where it might be used metaphorically. You can switch effortlessly between 'obeso', 'sobrepeso', and more poetic alternatives like 'voluminoso' or 'rollizo' to achieve a specific stylistic effect in your writing and speech.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

obeso/a en 30 secondes

Obeso is a formal, medical adjective used to describe someone who is severely overweight or clinically obese.
It must agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies (obeso, obesa, obesos, obesas).
The verb 'ser' is typically used with this word because obesity is treated as a defining health characteristic.
Avoid using it in casual social settings as it can sound overly clinical or insensitive compared to 'gordo'.

The Spanish word obeso (masculine) or obesa (feminine) is a precise, clinical adjective used to describe someone who is grossly overweight or suffers from obesity. Unlike more colloquial terms, this word is rooted in medical discourse and formal descriptions. Derived from the Latin obesus, which originally meant 'having eaten itself fat,' the term today carries a significant weight—both literally and figuratively—in health-related conversations.

Clinical Context: In a medical setting, 'obeso' is used when a person's Body Mass Index (BMI) exceeds 30. It is a diagnosis rather than just a casual observation.

El informe médico indica que el paciente es obeso y requiere una dieta estricta.

In Spanish-speaking cultures, the distinction between 'gordo' (fat) and 'obeso' (obese) is crucial. While 'gordo' can sometimes be used as a term of endearment (like 'mi gordito'), 'obeso' is never used affectionately. It is a cold, descriptive term. The word also appears frequently in public health campaigns across Latin America and Spain, where 'la obesidad infantil' (childhood obesity) is a major topic of concern.

Social Nuance: While 'obeso' is technically a neutral medical term, it can feel dehumanizing if used outside of a professional context, as it focuses entirely on a physical condition.

Muchos niños en este país son considerados obesos debido al sedentarismo.

Historically, the term has evolved from a simple description of size to a complex marker of health status. In academic writing, you will find it paired with adverbs like 'mórbidamente' (morbidly) to specify the severity.

Register: Formal/Medical. Avoid using this in casual conversation with friends unless discussing health statistics or news.

La sociedad actual lucha contra una epidemia de adultos obesos.

Ella no es solo gorda, clínicamente es obesa.

Es difícil para un animal obeso recuperar su agilidad.

This word is central to the 'Salud' (Health) and 'Cuerpo Humano' (Human Body) vocabulary modules in Spanish learning.

Using obeso correctly requires an understanding of Spanish sentence structure and the verb 'ser'. Because obesity is generally treated as a characteristic or a diagnosed condition in a clinical sense, the verb ser is almost always used instead of estar.

The 'Ser' Rule: We use 'ser' because obesity is seen as a defining physical trait or a chronic medical status. For example: 'Él es obeso' (He is obese).

Juan es obeso desde su infancia debido a problemas metabólicos.

When modifying the word, adverbs like 'extremadamente' (extremely) or 'notablemente' (notably) are common. In professional writing, you might see 'mórbidamente obeso' to translate 'morbidly obese.'

Positioning: As an adjective, it usually follows the noun it modifies: 'un hombre obeso' or 'una población obesa'.

La mujer obesa consultó a un especialista en nutrición.

You can also use it as a noun (substantive adjective), meaning 'an obese person.' For example, 'Los obesos tienen mayor riesgo de diabetes.' (Obese people have a higher risk of diabetes).

Comparisons: When comparing, use 'más... que'. 'Él es más obeso que su hermano'. However, this is quite blunt and usually reserved for medical comparisons.

El gato está tan obeso que no puede saltar al sofá.

Para el año 2030, se estima que el 30% de los jóvenes serán obesos.

Un cuerpo obeso requiere más esfuerzo cardiovascular.

¿Es posible ser obeso y estar sano al mismo tiempo?

Finally, consider the use of 'obeso' in the passive voice or with 'resultar'. 'El sujeto resultó ser obeso tras las pruebas de grasa corporal.' This adds a layer of objectivity to the statement.

You are most likely to encounter obeso in formal environments. If you are watching a news broadcast (el telediario) or reading a newspaper like El País or La Nación, the word appears in stories about public health, sedentary lifestyles, or the sugar tax.

News & Media: Headlines often use 'obeso' to describe demographic trends. 'Aumenta el número de niños obesos en áreas urbanas' is a typical headline.

En el documental, explicaron cómo los ratones se volvieron obesos con la dieta alta en fructosa.

In a doctor's office (el consultorio), a physician will use 'obeso' to discuss your health markers. They might say, 'Según su IMC, usted entra en la categoría de obeso tipo 1.' This is the professional way to address weight without using the more loaded and potentially offensive 'gordo.'

Education: In biology or physical education classes in Spanish-speaking schools, students learn about the risks of being 'obeso'.

El profesor advirtió que un estilo de vida sedentario nos hace más obesos.

You will also hear it in government public service announcements (PSAs). Mexico, for instance, has high rates of obesity, and the word 'obeso' is central to their health reform language.

Literature: In modern literature, an author might use 'obeso' to describe a character in a detached, observant way, emphasizing their physical presence as a medical reality.

El detective describió al sospechoso como un hombre obeso de unos cincuenta años.

No es que sea gordo, es que su estructura ósea soporta un cuerpo obeso.

La publicidad de comida rápida a menudo ignora al consumidor obeso.

In summary, you 'hear' this word where facts, statistics, and professional diagnoses are the priority, rather than in the warmth of a family kitchen or the banter of a locker room.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using obeso is confusing it with the English word 'fat' in terms of social usage. While 'obese' and 'fat' are different in English, 'obeso' and 'gordo' have a much sharper divide in Spanish.

Mistake #1: Over-Formalizing: Calling a friend 'obeso' when they have put on a little weight sounds strange and overly clinical. It's like calling a scratch a 'laceration' in a casual chat.

Incorrecto: '¡Oye, estás muy obeso hoy!' (Sounds like a medical diagnosis of your outfit).

Another common mistake is failing to match the gender. Since 'obeso' ends in '-o', many beginners forget to change it to 'obesa' for women. Unlike 'grande' or 'fuerte', which are gender-neutral, 'obeso' is strictly gendered.

Mistake #3: Confusing with 'Obesidad': 'Obesidad' is the noun (obesity), while 'obeso' is the adjective. You cannot say 'Él tiene obeso'; you must say 'Él tiene obesidad' or 'Él es obeso'.

Correcto: La lucha contra la obesidad es global.

Learners also struggle with the pluralization of the adjective when referring to a group. 'Ellos son obeso' is incorrect; it must be 'Ellos son obesos'.

Incorrecto: Mi maleta es obesa. (Correcto: Mi maleta es pesada).

Error común: 'Ella es un obeso'. (Should be 'una obesa' or just 'obesa').

Error: 'El perro está obesidad'. (Should be 'el perro es obeso').

Confusión: 'Es un problema obeso'. (Should be 'Es un problema de obesidad').

Lastly, be careful with the pronunciation. The 's' in 'obeso' is soft, like 'sun', not voiced like a 'z' in 'zebra', which English speakers often do instinctively.

Spanish offers a wide palette of words to describe body size, each with its own emotional 'temperature' and level of formality. Understanding these will prevent you from using obeso in the wrong context.

Gordo/a: The most common word for 'fat'. It can be neutral, insulting, or affectionate depending on tone. 'Mi gordo' can be a husband, while 'ese gordo' might be a slur.

Él no está obeso, solo está un poco gordo por las vacaciones.

Sobrepeso: Literally 'overweight'. This is the most polite and neutral way to describe someone's weight in a non-medical but serious conversation.

Tener sobrepeso no es lo mismo que ser obeso.

Rellenito/a: A diminutive meaning 'chubby' or 'plump'. It is much softer and often used to avoid giving offense.

El bebé está rellenito y muy sano.

Adípico/a: A highly technical term relating to fat tissue. You will only see this in biology textbooks.

El tejido adiposo es excesivo en personas obesas.

Prefiero decir que soy robusto antes que obeso.

Estar entrado en carnes es una forma elegante de decir gordo.

Choosing the right word depends on whether you are writing a medical report (obeso), talking to a doctor (sobrepeso), describing a cute child (rellenito), or teasing a close friend (gordito).

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

Despite meaning 'fat' today, the root 'edere' is the same as the English word 'edible'. So 'obeso' literally shares a history with 'eating'.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ɒˈbiːs/

US /oʊˈbiːs/

The stress is on the second syllable: o-BE-so.

Rime avec

Beso (kiss) Queso (cheese) Peso (weight) Tieso (stiff) Progreso (progress) Suceso (event) Preso (prisoner) Espeso (thick)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'o' like the English 'u' in 'up'.
Making the 's' sound like a 'z' (obezzo).
Failing to pronounce the final 'o' or 'a' clearly.
Stress on the first syllable (O-beso).
Aspirating the 'b' too much.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

Easy to recognize because it is a cognate of 'obese'.

Écriture 3/5

Requires remembering gender agreement (o/a).

Expression orale 3/5

Requires correct vowel sounds and stress on 'BE'.

Écoute 2/5

Clear pronunciation makes it easy to hear in news/medical contexts.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

Gordo Peso Cuerpo Salud Médico

Apprends ensuite

Diabetes Nutrición Metabolismo Sedentario Adiposo

Avancé

Bariátrica Hipertensión Colesterol Sedentarismo Glucosa

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective Agreement

La mujer obesa (feminine singular).

Ser vs Estar with physical traits

Él es obeso (characteristic).

Position of Adjectives

Un paciente obeso (after the noun).

Substantive Adjectives

Los obesos (using the adjective as a noun).

Adverbial Modification

Extremadamente obeso (adverb + adjective).

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Exemples par niveau

El hombre es obeso.

The man is obese.

Uses 'ser' for a physical characteristic.

La gata es obesa.

The female cat is obese.

Feminine agreement (obesa).

Ellos son obesos.

They are obese.

Plural masculine agreement.

No soy obeso.

I am not obese.

Negative sentence with 'ser'.

Mi perro es un poco obeso.

My dog is a bit obese.

Adding 'un poco' to modify the degree.

Juan es un niño obeso.

Juan is an obese boy.

Adjective follows the noun.

¿Eres obeso?

Are you obese?

Question form of 'ser'.

Ella es obesa y alta.

She is obese and tall.

Compound description.

Comer mucho pan te hace obeso.

Eating a lot of bread makes you obese.

Hacer + adjective.

El médico dice que soy obeso.

The doctor says I am obese.

Reported speech.

Hay muchos niños obesos en la escuela.

There are many obese children in the school.

Plural noun-adjective agreement.

Si no haces ejercicio, serás obeso.

If you don't exercise, you will be obese.

Future tense of 'ser'.

Mi abuelo era obeso de joven.

My grandfather was obese when he was young.

Imperfect tense for past description.

Las personas obesas deben caminar más.

Obese people should walk more.

Substantive use of adjective.

Este gato es muy obeso para saltar.

This cat is too obese to jump.

Adjective + para + infinitive.

No quiero ser obeso.

I don't want to be obese.

Infinitive after 'querer'.

El paciente fue diagnosticado como obeso mórbido.

The patient was diagnosed as morbidly obese.

Passive voice construction.

Es difícil para una persona obesa encontrar ropa.

It is difficult for an obese person to find clothes.

General statement structure.

La sociedad discrimina a los hombres obesos.

Society discriminates against obese men.

Direct object with 'a'.

Aunque es obeso, su corazón está fuerte.

Even though he is obese, his heart is strong.

Concession clause with 'aunque'.

Se ha vuelto obeso por culpa del estrés.

He has become obese because of stress.

Volverse + adjective (change of state).

La mayoría de los adultos obesos tienen diabetes.

Most obese adults have diabetes.

Collective noun agreement.

No es bueno que el perro sea tan obeso.

It is not good that the dog is so obese.

Subjunctive after 'es bueno que'.

Ella se siente mal por ser obesa.

She feels bad about being obese.

Gerund/Infinitive as a reason.

La tasa de individuos obesos ha crecido exponencialmente.

The rate of obese individuals has grown exponentially.

Formal academic tone.

Ser obeso conlleva riesgos cardiovasculares graves.

Being obese carries serious cardiovascular risks.

Infinitive as a subject.

El gobierno implementó leyes para proteger al niño obeso.

The government implemented laws to protect the obese child.

Singular generic use.

Resulta ofensivo llamar 'obeso' a alguien sin motivo médico.

It turns out to be offensive to call someone 'obese' without a medical reason.

Resultar + adjective.

Muchos pacientes obesos sufren de apnea del sueño.

Many obese patients suffer from sleep apnea.

Medical collocation.

La industria alimentaria es responsable de que seamos obesos.

The food industry is responsible for us being obese.

Subjunctive in a cause-effect phrase.

Un cuerpo obeso procesa el azúcar de forma distinta.

An obese body processes sugar differently.

Technical description.

A pesar de ser obesa, ella corre maratones.

In spite of being obese, she runs marathons.

Contrastive phrase 'a pesar de'.

El estigma que recae sobre el sujeto obeso es una barrera para su curación.

The stigma that falls on the obese subject is a barrier to their healing.

Complex noun phrase.

Se debate si el término 'obeso' es peyorativo en la actualidad.

It is debated whether the term 'obese' is peyorative nowadays.

Passive reflexive 'se debate'.

La predisposición genética puede hacer que uno sea obeso independientemente de la dieta.

Genetic predisposition can make one obese regardless of diet.

Subjunctive with 'hacer que'.

La literatura del siglo XIX a menudo retrataba al burgués como un hombre obeso y egoísta.

19th-century literature often portrayed the bourgeois as an obese and selfish man.

Historical literary context.

Es imperativo abordar la problemática del adolescente obeso desde la psicología.

It is imperative to address the issue of the obese adolescent from a psychological perspective.

Formal 'es imperativo'.

Incluso en animales salvajes, se han observado ejemplares obesos debido a la interferencia humana.

Even in wild animals, obese specimens have been observed due to human interference.

Passive participle 'han observado'.

La correlación entre ser obeso y la pobreza es un tema de estudio sociológico.

The correlation between being obese and poverty is a subject of sociological study.

Abstract noun correlation.

No basta con decir que alguien es obeso; hay que entender su entorno.

It is not enough to say that someone is obese; one must understand their environment.

Negative 'no basta con'.

La patologización del cuerpo obeso ha sido cuestionada por diversos movimientos sociales.

The pathologization of the obese body has been questioned by various social movements.

High-level academic vocabulary.

El discurso médico hegemónico define al individuo obeso bajo parámetros puramente estadísticos.

Hegemonic medical discourse defines the obese individual under purely statistical parameters.

Sophisticated adjective use.

Bajo la lupa de la biopolítica, el ciudadano obeso representa un coste para el Estado.

Under the lens of biopolitics, the obese citizen represents a cost to the State.

Metaphorical/Philosophical context.

Cualquier análisis sobre el fenotipo obeso debe considerar factores epigenéticos.

Any analysis of the obese phenotype must consider epigenetic factors.

Scientific register.

La representación del cuerpo obeso en el arte contemporáneo desafía los cánones de belleza.

The representation of the obese body in contemporary art challenges beauty canons.

Art criticism context.

Resulta reduccionista tildar de obeso a un atleta de élite con gran masa muscular.

It is reductionist to label an elite athlete with large muscle mass as obese.

Nuanced argument.

La semántica de la palabra 'obeso' ha mutado desde una descripción física a una categoría clínica excluyente.

The semantics of the word 'obese' has mutated from a physical description to an exclusionary clinical category.

Linguistic analysis.

Si el paciente no fuera obeso, la intervención quirúrgica sería menos riesgosa.

If the patient were not obese, the surgical intervention would be less risky.

Imperfect subjunctive conditional.

Collocations courantes

Mórbidamente obeso

Niño obeso

Población obesa

Adulto obeso

Animal obeso

Clínicamente obeso

Sujeto obeso

Genéticamente obeso

Extremadamente obeso

Visiblemente obeso

Phrases Courantes

Lucha contra la obesidad

— The social or medical fight against the obesity epidemic.

La lucha contra la obesidad empieza en casa.

Índice de masa corporal

— The metric used to determine if someone is 'obeso'.

Su índice de masa corporal indica que es obeso.

Grasa visceral

— Internal fat common in obese individuals.

Los obesos suelen tener mucha grasa visceral.

Sedentarismo y obesidad

— The link between lack of movement and being obese.

El sedentarismo y la obesidad van de la mano.

Diabetes tipo 2

— A disease often associated with being obeso.

Ser obeso aumenta el riesgo de diabetes tipo 2.

Salud pública

— The field that manages 'obesos' at a population level.

Es un problema de salud pública.

Dieta equilibrada

— The solution suggested for someone who is obeso.

Una dieta equilibrada es vital para el obeso.

Trastorno alimentario

— A condition that can lead to becoming obeso.

La obesidad puede ser un trastorno alimentario.

Cirugía bariátrica

— Weight loss surgery for the 'mórbidamente obeso'.

Se sometió a una cirugía bariátrica.

Hábitos saludables

— The lifestyle needed to stop being obeso.

Promovemos hábitos saludables.

Souvent confondu avec

obeso/a vs Gordo

Gordo is everyday language; obeso is a medical diagnosis.

obeso/a vs Obesidad

Obesidad is the disease (noun); obeso is the person (adjective).

obeso/a vs Pesado

Pesado means 'heavy' (weight) or 'annoying'; obeso only refers to body fat.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Estar como un tonel"

— To be as round as a barrel (very fat).

Después de Navidad, estoy como un tonel.

Informal

"Ponerse como el kiko"

— To eat excessively (which leads to being obese).

En la boda me puse como el kiko.

Informal

"Estar entrado en carnes"

— To be well-fleshed or plump (polite way to say fat).

Su tío siempre ha estado entrado en carnes.

Neutral

"No caber por la puerta"

— To be so big one doesn't fit through the door.

Ese perro está tan obeso que no cabe por la puerta.

Informal

"Tener mucha tripa"

— To have a big belly.

Es obeso y tiene mucha tripa.

Informal

"Estar como una foca"

— To be as fat as a seal (offensive).

¡Míralo, está como una foca!

Slang/Offensive

"Llenar el ojo"

— To be large and impressive (sometimes used for size).

Es un hombre que llena el ojo por lo obeso que es.

Colloquial

"Estar redondo"

— To be round (very fat).

Desde que dejó el fútbol, está redondo.

Informal

"Pesar un quintal"

— To weigh a ton/hundredweight.

Ese gato obeso pesa un quintal.

Informal

"Tener buen año"

— To look well-fed/fat (euphemism).

Parece que has tenido buen año, ¿eh?

Colloquial

Facile à confondre

obeso/a vs Grueso

Both describe size.

Grueso means 'thick' or 'stout' and is more polite. Obeso is a clinical term for fatness.

El libro es grueso, pero el hombre es obeso.

obeso/a vs Corpulento

Both refer to large people.

Corpulento implies a big frame, often including muscle. Obeso implies excess fat.

Un luchador es corpulento; un paciente de hospital puede ser obeso.

obeso/a vs Rellenito

Both refer to being overweight.

Rellenito is cute/plump. Obeso is serious/medical.

El bebé está rellenito, no es obeso.

obeso/a vs Hinchado

Both describe looking 'blown up'.

Hinchado means 'swollen' (inflammation). Obeso means fat accumulation.

Tengo el pie hinchado, pero no soy obeso.

obeso/a vs Ancho

Both describe width.

Ancho means 'wide' (usually for objects like streets or shoulders). Obeso is for bodies.

Tiene hombros anchos, pero no es obeso.

Structures de phrases

Sujeto + ser + obeso/a

El gato es obeso.

Sujeto + ser + muy + obeso/a

Mi perro es muy obeso.

Sujeto + se ha vuelto + obeso/a

Él se ha vuelto obeso este año.

Es + adjetivo + ser + obeso/a

Es peligroso ser obeso.

Debido a + sustantivo + el sujeto + es obeso/a

Debido a la mala dieta, el niño es obeso.

Los + obesos + tienen + riesgo

Los obesos tienen riesgo de infarto.

Si bien + ser + obeso, + contraste

Si bien es obeso, tiene mucha energía.

La condición de + ser + obeso + implica...

La condición de ser obeso implica retos sistémicos.

Famille de mots

Noms

Obesidad (Obesity)

Verbes

Obesecer (Rare/Archaic - to become obese; usually replaced by 'engordar' or 'volverse obeso')

Adjectifs

Obeso/a (Obese)

Apparenté

Grasa

Tejido

Peso

Sobrepeso

Engordar

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in medical and news contexts; rare in casual social contexts.

Erreurs courantes

Using 'estar' instead of 'ser'. → Él es obeso.
Obesity is considered a permanent or defining characteristic in Spanish grammar.
Saying 'Él tiene obeso'. → Él tiene obesidad / Él es obeso.
You can't 'have' an adjective; you 'are' an adjective or 'have' a noun.
Forgetting gender agreement for a woman. → Ella es obesa.
Adjectives ending in -o must change to -a for feminine subjects.
Using 'obeso' for a heavy suitcase. → La maleta es pesada.
'Obeso' is only for living beings with body fat.
Pronouncing 'obeso' like 'obese' (English). → o-BE-so
Spanish vowels are short and pure; the 's' is not a 'z' sound.

Astuces

Gender Agreement

Always check if the person is male or female. 'El niño obeso' but 'la niña obesa'. This is a basic but frequent mistake.

Use 'Sobrepeso' for Politeness

If you are not a doctor, 'sobrepeso' is a much safer word to use to avoid sounding rude or overly clinical.

Stress the Middle

The stress is on the 'BE'. Say it out loud: o-BE-so. Don't let the English 'obese' influence your Spanish rhythm.

Medical Context

Recognize that 'obeso' is a word you'll mostly see in newspapers and hospitals. It's not a 'street' word.

Noun vs Adjective

You can say 'los obesos' (the obese ones). This is common in news headlines to save space.

Cognate Alert

It sounds like 'obese', so use that to your advantage when listening to fast-paced news reports.

Avoid for Objects

Never use 'obeso' for a thick book or a wide road. Use 'grueso' or 'ancho' instead.

Ser is King

Stick with the verb 'ser'. 'Estar obeso' is technically possible but sounds like you just woke up that way.

Latin Roots

Remembering it comes from 'eating' (edere) can help you remember it's about food-related weight.

Sensitivity

In body-positive spaces, people might prefer 'persona con obesidad' over 'obeso'. Be mindful of your audience.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of an 'Obese' person who 'Obeyed' the urge to eat too much. 'OBE-so' sounds like 'OBEY-so'.

Association visuelle

Imagine a giant letter 'O' that is so heavy it's crushing a scale. The 'O' stands for 'Obeso'.

Word Web

Salud Grasa Médico Dieta Peso Ejercicio IMC Comida

Défi

Try to write a paragraph about a fictional doctor giving advice to an 'obeso' patient using at least three synonyms.

Origine du mot

From the Latin 'obesus', which is the past participle of 'obedere'. 'Ob' means 'over' or 'against', and 'edere' means 'to eat'.

Sens originel : Literally 'having eaten oneself fat' or 'eaten away'.

Romance (Latin root).

Contexte culturel

Be careful. 'Obeso' is a medical label. If you use it to describe a friend, it sounds like you are diagnosing them, which can be hurtful.

In English, 'obese' is also clinical, but 'fat' has become highly stigmatized. In Spanish, 'gordo' is more versatile.

Botero's paintings (often described as depicting 'gente obesa', though he calls them 'voluminous'). Public health ads in Mexico ('Chécate, mídete, muévete'). Documentaries like 'Super Size Me' (translated as 'Súper engórdame').

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

At the Doctor

¿Soy obeso?
Tengo miedo de ser obeso.
Tratamiento para obesos.
Riesgos de ser obeso.

In the News

Aumento de obesos.
Crisis de niños obesos.
Estadísticas sobre obesos.
Impuestos para prevenir obesos.

Gym/Fitness

Rutina para personas obesas.
Perder peso siendo obeso.
Ejercicios de bajo impacto para obesos.
De obeso a atlético.

School/Biology

¿Por qué somos obesos?
Efectos de la grasa en el obeso.
La pirámide alimenticia y el obeso.
Genética en sujetos obesos.

Social/Ethics

No juzgues al obeso.
Moda para personas obesas.
Discriminación al obeso.
Aceptación del cuerpo obeso.

Amorces de conversation

"¿Crees que el gobierno debería cobrar más impuestos a la comida que nos hace obesos?"

"En tu país, ¿es común ver a muchos niños que son obesos?"

"¿Cuál es la diferencia entre estar un poco gordo y ser clínicamente obeso?"

"¿Has visto alguna vez un animal salvaje que sea obeso?"

"¿Qué consejos le darías a un amigo que es obeso y quiere cambiar?"

Sujets d'écriture

Describe cómo ha cambiado la percepción de una persona obesa en la sociedad en los últimos cincuenta años.

Escribe sobre los desafíos diarios que crees que enfrenta alguien que es mórbidamente obeso en una ciudad grande.

¿Crees que la genética es más importante que la dieta para determinar si alguien será obeso? Explica tu opinión.

Imagina que eres un médico. Escribe una carta amable a un paciente obeso explicándole los riesgos de su salud.

Reflexiona sobre el uso de la palabra 'obeso' frente a 'gordo'. ¿Cuál te parece más respetuosa y por qué?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

In a medical context, no, it is the correct term. In a social context, it can be seen as cold or blunt, but it is generally less of a 'slur' than 'gordo' can be. However, it's safer to use 'tiene sobrepeso' if you want to be polite.

Yes, veterinarians use 'obeso' to describe pets that are dangerously overweight. For example: 'Su perro es obeso y necesita caminar más'.

It translates to 'morbidly obese'. It refers to someone who is so overweight that it directly threatens their life or prevents normal function.

There isn't a single common verb. Most people use 'volverse obeso' or 'engordar hasta ser obeso'.

Yes, in modern Spanish it specifically refers to body fat. It is never used for objects or abstract concepts like 'an obese budget'.

The noun is 'la obesidad'. For example: 'La obesidad es un problema grave'.

You can, but 'soy obeso' is more common because it's seen as a condition you 'have' or 'are'. 'Estoy' might imply a temporary state, which sounds a bit odd for obesity.

The direct clinical opposite might be 'desnutrido' (malnourished) or simply 'delgado' (thin).

Both are correct. 'Un obeso' uses the word as a noun, while 'una persona obesa' uses it as an adjective. The latter is slightly more formal.

Yes, it is a standard medical term used globally in the Spanish-speaking world, from Spain to Argentina.

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