Meaning
To eat very little food.
Cultural Background
In Spain, food is a social event. If you don't eat much, people might worry about your health or think you didn't like the food. Mexican hospitality is legendary. Hosts often insist on more food, so using this phrase is a polite way to decline without offending. In Argentina, where 'asados' (barbecues) are huge, eating like a bird is quite unusual and might be commented on more frequently. Colombians are very hospitable. They will often use this phrase to tease someone who is being 'picky' with their food.
Use the diminutive
Always use 'pajarito' instead of 'pájaro'. It sounds much more natural and idiomatic.
Be careful with context
Commenting on someone's food intake can be sensitive. Use this phrase in a lighthearted way, not to judge.
Meaning
To eat very little food.
Use the diminutive
Always use 'pajarito' instead of 'pájaro'. It sounds much more natural and idiomatic.
Be careful with context
Commenting on someone's food intake can be sensitive. Use this phrase in a lighthearted way, not to judge.
Pair it with a smile
When you use this phrase, a smile helps convey that you are being affectionate, not critical.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct phrase.
Desde que está a dieta, ella ______.
The context of a diet implies eating very little.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Choose the correct option.
The standard idiom is 'comer como un pajarito'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Quieres más pastel? B: No, gracias, ______.
The speaker is declining more food, so they need to express a small appetite.
Match the situation to the correct response.
Situation: Your friend only eats a salad at a buffet.
This is the appropriate idiom for someone eating a very small portion.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDesde que está a dieta, ella ______.
The context of a diet implies eating very little.
Choose the correct option.
The standard idiom is 'comer como un pajarito'.
A: ¿Quieres más pastel? B: No, gracias, ______.
The speaker is declining more food, so they need to express a small appetite.
Situation: Your friend only eats a salad at a buffet.
This is the appropriate idiom for someone eating a very small portion.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes, it is gender-neutral. You say 'Él come como un pajarito' or 'Ella come como un pajarito'.
It depends on the tone. If you say it with a smile, it's affectionate. If you say it with a frown, it's judgmental.
Not necessarily. It just means they have a small appetite. They could be sick, or they could just be a light eater.
You can, but it's less common and sounds a bit less natural than 'pajarito'.
Yes, it is widely understood across the entire Spanish-speaking world.
You would say 'comer como un león' or 'ser de buen comer'.
No, it's too informal for a business email.
No, it only refers to the amount of food.
Yes, it is very common in everyday conversation.
Yes, it's very common to use it for children who are picky eaters.
Yes, 'Ellos comen como pajaritos'.
Knowing when it is appropriate to use it without offending someone.
Related Phrases
Tener poco apetito
synonymTo have little appetite
Picotear
similarTo peck/snack
Comer como un león
contrastTo eat like a lion
Ser de buen comer
contrastTo be a good eater
