Meaning
Being in excellent health.
Cultural Background
In places like Sicily or Liguria, the connection to fish is even stronger. Being 'sano come un pesce' often implies eating fresh catch, which is seen as the secret to long life. Italian grandmothers often use this phrase to praise children who eat well. A child who finishes their plate is often called 'sano come un pesce'. In Italian gyms, you might hear a variation of this when someone recovers from an injury. It's a way of saying the 'machine' (the body) is working perfectly again. The fish (Ichthys) was an early Christian symbol. While the idiom is secular, the fish has always been a 'positive' and 'pure' symbol in Italian history.
Gender Agreement
Always check the subject. If you are a woman, say 'sana'. If you are talking about your parents, say 'sani'.
Not for Mental Health
Don't use this to say someone is mentally stable. It's only for physical health.
Meaning
Being in excellent health.
Gender Agreement
Always check the subject. If you are a woman, say 'sana'. If you are talking about your parents, say 'sani'.
Not for Mental Health
Don't use this to say someone is mentally stable. It's only for physical health.
Use with 'Sentirsi'
Using 'Mi sento sano come un pesce' sounds very natural and native-like.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the adjective 'sano'.
Mia nonna ha 90 anni ma è ancora _______ come un pesce.
The subject is 'mia nonna' (feminine singular), so the adjective must be 'sana'.
Which animal is used in this Italian idiom for health?
Essere sano come un...
The traditional Italian idiom uses 'pesce' (fish).
Match the subject with the correct phrase ending.
Match the following:
Adjectives must match the gender and number of the subject.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: 'Come stai dopo l'influenza?' B: 'Grazie, ora mi sento...'
'Sano come un pesce' is the only idiom here that refers to being healthy.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Gender Agreement
Maschile
- • Sano
- • Sani
Femminile
- • Sana
- • Sane
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMia nonna ha 90 anni ma è ancora _______ come un pesce.
The subject is 'mia nonna' (feminine singular), so the adjective must be 'sana'.
Essere sano come un...
The traditional Italian idiom uses 'pesce' (fish).
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Adjectives must match the gender and number of the subject.
A: 'Come stai dopo l'influenza?' B: 'Grazie, ora mi sento...'
'Sano come un pesce' is the only idiom here that refers to being healthy.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsAncient people believed fish were immune to disease because they lived in water, which was seen as a purifying element.
Yes, it's very common to describe healthy, energetic children as 'sani come un pesce'.
Not at all! It's a very positive and friendly thing to say.
No, that would mean 'healthy as a whale' and it's not an idiom in Italian.
Use 'ero' or 'sono stato': 'Ero sano come un pesce'.
Only in very casual business settings, like a coffee break with colleagues.
Yes, they are perfect equivalents in terms of meaning and usage.
Technically yes, but it sounds a bit funny/ironic since the pet isn't a human.
You can say 'Non sono proprio un fiore' (I'm not exactly a flower).
In this specific idiom, yes. You can't say 'forte come un pesce'.
Related Phrases
Sano e salvo
similarSafe and sound
Muto come un pesce
similarQuiet as a mouse (lit. silent as a fish)
Essere un pesce fuor d'acqua
contrastA fish out of water
Scoppiare di salute
builds onTo be bursting with health
In forma smagliante
synonymIn dazzling shape
