Meaning
To be an important or influential person.
Cultural Background
In Spain, the term is often linked to the 'Ibex 35' (the stock market index). People talk about the 'peces gordos del Ibex' when discussing the country's economic elite. While 'pez gordo' is used, you might also hear 'el mero mero' or 'un pesado'. 'Pez gordo' is frequently used in news reports about cartel leaders. In Argentina, 'pez gordo' is common, but you might also hear 'un peso pesado' (a heavyweight), especially in political contexts. The phrase is used widely in business. To be a 'pez gordo' in Bogotá implies having connections in both the private sector and the government.
Use with Irony
This phrase is great for being a bit sarcastic about someone who thinks they are more important than they really are.
Pez vs Pescado
This is the #1 mistake. Always use 'pez' for people. 'Pescado' is only for the dinner plate.
Meaning
To be an important or influential person.
Use with Irony
This phrase is great for being a bit sarcastic about someone who thinks they are more important than they really are.
Pez vs Pescado
This is the #1 mistake. Always use 'pez' for people. 'Pescado' is only for the dinner plate.
Specify the Field
Add 'de...' to sound more native. 'Un pez gordo de las finanzas' or 'un pez gordo de la moda'.
Test Yourself
Completa la frase con la palabra correcta (pez o pescado).
No te metas con él, es un ______ gordo del sindicato.
In idioms, we use 'pez' for the living animal metaphor. 'Pescado' is for food.
Selecciona la opción que mejor describe a un 'pez gordo'.
¿Qué es un pez gordo?
The idiom refers to social or professional status, not physical weight or food.
Empareja la situación con el uso del idioma.
Situación: Estás en una alfombra roja y ves al director de cine más famoso del mundo.
We use 'ser' for status and 'pez' for the idiom.
Completa el diálogo de forma natural.
—¿Crees que el director nos escuchará? —Difícil, él es un ______ y nosotros solo somos becarios.
The contrast between a 'pez gordo' (big shot) and 'becarios' (interns) is a classic use of the phrase.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Pez vs. Pescado
Practice Bank
4 exercisesNo te metas con él, es un ______ gordo del sindicato.
In idioms, we use 'pez' for the living animal metaphor. 'Pescado' is for food.
¿Qué es un pez gordo?
The idiom refers to social or professional status, not physical weight or food.
Situación: Estás en una alfombra roja y ves al director de cine más famoso del mundo.
We use 'ser' for status and 'pez' for the idiom.
—¿Crees que el director nos escuchará? —Difícil, él es un ______ y nosotros solo somos becarios.
The contrast between a 'pez gordo' (big shot) and 'becarios' (interns) is a classic use of the phrase.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsYes, but usually you still use the masculine form: 'Ella es un pez gordo'. Using 'una pez gorda' is possible but less common.
Not necessarily, but it's informal. It can be a compliment, a neutral description, or a sarcastic remark depending on your tone.
'Jefe' is just a job title. A 'pez gordo' is someone with real power and influence, often beyond just their job title.
Yes! Adding 'muy' or 'bastante' works perfectly to emphasize how important the person is.
Yes, it is universally understood from Spain to Argentina.
Only if you are talking *about* someone else informally with colleagues. Don't use it in a formal presentation.
'Gordo' implies wealth and substance, which in historical contexts was a sign of power.
Usually, it's for people, but you can say 'una empresa que es un pez gordo en el sector'.
The plural is 'peces gordos'. Remember to change the 'z' to 'c'.
You could say 'pececito gordo' to be very sarcastic, but it's rare.
No, it is 100% metaphorical for power and influence.
The closest equivalents are 'big shot', 'big fish', or 'VIP'.
Yes, journalists use it frequently to describe powerful figures in scandals.
It's more of a colloquial idiom than pure slang. It's widely accepted in casual conversation.
Related Phrases
Ser el que parte el bacalao
similarTo be the one in charge.
Ser un peso pesado
synonymTo be a heavyweight/important person.
Estar como pez en el agua
builds onTo be in one's element.
Ser un don nadie
contrastTo be a nobody.
Tener la sartén por el mango
similarTo have the upper hand.
