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B1 adjective #6,500 mais comum 9 min de leitura

obeso

Top 6,500

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas obeso em 30 segundos

Explicação obeso in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are learning basic adjectives to describe people, like 'tall', 'short', 'thin', and 'fat'. The word 'obeso' might be a bit advanced for a total beginner, but it is useful to know as a formal version of 'gordo'. You should focus on the fact that it ends in 'o', so it changes to 'obesa' for women. You will mostly use it with the verb 'ser' (to be). For example: 'El hombre es obeso'. At this stage, just think of it as a very serious way to say someone is very, very fat. You won't use it often in your own speaking yet, but you might see it in a health-related reading exercise. Remember to always match it with the person you are talking about. If you are talking about two people, add an 's': 'Ellos son obesos'. It is a simple rule that applies to most Spanish adjectives. Don't worry about the medical details yet; just treat it as a descriptive word for a person's size.

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At the A2 level, you are starting to describe people's health and physical appearance in more detail. You might use 'obeso' when talking about a doctor's visit or describing a character in a story. You should understand the difference between 'ser gordo' (to be fat) and 'ser obeso' (to be obese). 'Obeso' is the word you would see on a medical form or in a newspaper. You should also be able to use it in simple sentences with adverbs like 'muy' (very) or 'un poco' (a little), although 'un poco obeso' is a bit of a contradiction since 'obeso' usually implies a high degree of weight. A better phrase might be 'un poco gordo'. At this level, you should also be aware of the noun form 'la obesidad' (obesity), which you might hear in news snippets about healthy eating. Practice using 'obeso' in the context of health: 'Comer mucha comida basura puede hacer que una persona sea obesa'. This helps you build connections between food, health, and descriptions.

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At the B1 level, you are expected to handle more formal topics, such as health, diet, and social issues. 'Obeso' is a key word for these discussions. You should be able to use it to talk about the 'epidemia de obesidad' (obesity epidemic) and describe the risks associated with being 'obeso', such as 'problemas del corazón' (heart problems) or 'diabetes'. You should also understand that 'obeso' is a more respectful and objective term than 'gordo' in a professional or academic setting. If you are writing an essay about the Mediterranean diet, you might write: 'En los países donde se sigue la dieta mediterránea, hay menos personas obesas'. Notice the agreement with 'personas'. You should also be comfortable using it as a noun: 'Los obesos necesitan apoyo médico'. However, at this level, you should also start learning that some people find 'los obesos' a bit dehumanizing and prefer 'las personas con obesidad'. This shows a higher level of cultural and linguistic awareness.

At the B2 level, your vocabulary should be nuanced. You should use 'obeso' with precision, distinguishing it from 'sobrepeso' (overweight). In a debate or a formal presentation, you might use 'obeso' to refer to clinical data. You should also be familiar with related terms like 'sedentarismo' (sedentary lifestyle) and 'trastornos alimenticios' (eating disorders). You can use 'obeso' in more complex grammatical structures, such as passive voice or with relative clauses: 'Se estima que el número de niños que son obesos ha crecido exponencialmente'. You should also be able to recognize the word in literature or advanced news reports where it might be used metaphorically, though that is rare. Your focus should be on using the word to discuss public policy, health education, and social statistics. You should also be aware of the medical sub-classifications, such as 'obeso mórbido' (morbidly obese), and use them correctly in context.

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At the C1 level, you should have a near-native grasp of when 'obeso' is appropriate. You will use it in technical, medical, or sociological contexts with ease. You should be able to discuss the nuances of the word, such as the stigma attached to the label 'obeso' and how language in the medical field is evolving to be more person-centered (e.g., 'paciente con obesidad' vs. 'paciente obeso'). You will encounter this word in scientific journals, medical journals like 'The Lancet' (Spanish edition), or deep-dive sociological analyses of modern life. You should be able to use it in complex sentences with advanced conjunctions: 'Si bien el individuo es técnicamente obeso según su IMC, su salud metabólica es sorprendentemente buena'. At this level, you are not just using the word; you are analyzing the implications of its use in society, including topics like 'fatphobia' (gordofobia) and how 'obeso' fits into that discourse.

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At the C2 level, 'obeso' is a word you use with total precision and an understanding of its historical and clinical etymology. You can use it in academic writing at the highest level, perhaps in a thesis on public health or a critique of modern consumerism. You understand the subtle shift in tone when an author chooses 'obeso' over 'adiposo' or 'corpulento' to create a specific effect. You are also aware of the international variations; while 'obeso' is universal, the social reactions to the word might vary between Spain, Mexico, or Argentina. You can participate in high-level medical ethics discussions about the treatment of 'el sujeto obeso' and the systemic causes of the condition. You might even explore the word's Latin roots ('obesus' - having eaten oneself fat) to add depth to a linguistic analysis. Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, used only when the clinical or formal register is required.

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Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

obeso em 30 segundos

Obeso is a formal, clinical adjective meaning 'obese' or 'grossly overweight', used primarily in medical, academic, and journalistic contexts in Spanish.
It must agree in gender (obeso/obesa) and number (obesos/obesas) with the noun it modifies, and it is almost always used with the verb 'ser'.
While it is more respectful than the colloquial 'gordo', it remains a technical label that should be used with sensitivity in personal interactions.
Commonly found in health reports, medical diagnoses, and sociological studies, it distinguishes a clinical condition from simple aesthetic weight gain.

The word obeso is the primary clinical and formal adjective in Spanish used to describe a person who is significantly overweight, specifically to the point where it may have an adverse effect on their health. While in English, the word "obese" carries a heavy medical weight, in Spanish, obeso functions similarly but is often the preferred term in educational, medical, and journalistic contexts to avoid the potentially offensive or informal nature of the word gordo.

Clinical Precision: In a medical diagnosis, a doctor will use 'obeso' to refer to a patient whose Body Mass Index (IMC - Índice de Masa Corporal) exceeds 30. It is a technical classification rather than a simple description of appearance.

El médico determinó que el paciente es clínicamente obeso tras revisar sus niveles de grasa corporal.

Beyond the doctor's office, obeso appears frequently in sociological discussions and public health campaigns. For instance, when discussing the "obesity epidemic" (la epidemia de la obesidad), this adjective describes the population affected. Unlike gordo, which can be used affectionately among friends (though this is culturally complex), obeso is never used as a term of endearment. It remains detached and objective.

Gender Agreement: Like most Spanish adjectives ending in -o, it must change to 'obesa' when describing a female subject. For example: 'Ella es obesa' vs. 'Él es obeso'.

La población obesa ha aumentado en los últimos años debido al sedentarismo.

Interestingly, the word can also be used for animals in a veterinary context. A dog that has been overfed might be described by a vet as un perro obeso. This further emphasizes the scientific nature of the term. In literature, it might be used to paint a specific, often unflattering or hyper-realistic portrait of a character, emphasizing the physical burden of their weight.

Register and Tone: Using 'obeso' in a casual conversation might sound overly formal or even robotic. In a bar, people say 'gordo'. In a university lecture, they say 'obeso'.

No es solo un problema estético; ser obeso conlleva riesgos cardiovasculares serios.

To conclude, obeso is your go-to word for precision. It bridges the gap between the physical reality of body mass and the medical implications of that mass. When you use it, you are signaling that you are looking at the situation through a lens of health, statistics, or formal description rather than personal judgment or casual observation.

Mastering the use of obeso involves understanding its placement and its relationship with the verb ser. Because obesity is generally viewed as a characteristic or a chronic condition in a linguistic sense, we almost exclusively use ser rather than estar.

The 'Ser' Rule: We say 'Él es obeso' to define a state of being or a medical identity. While 'estar' can sometimes be used for temporary states, 'estar obeso' is much less common and implies a transition that is not typical for this technical term.

Desde que dejó de hacer ejercicio, se ha vuelto obeso.

The adjective can also function as a noun (substantivization). In Spanish, you can say los obesos to mean "obese people." This is common in scientific papers where the subjects are grouped by their condition. However, in modern sensitive speech, many prefer personas con obesidad to avoid labeling the individual by their condition.

Adverbial Modification: You can modify 'obeso' with adverbs like 'mórbidamente' (morbidly) or 'clínicamente' (clinically) to add precision.

El paciente es mórbidamente obeso y requiere cirugía urgente.

In descriptive writing, obeso usually follows the noun it modifies. For example, un hombre obeso (an obese man). Placing it before the noun (un obeso hombre) is extremely rare and sounds highly poetic or archaic, which doesn't fit the clinical nature of the word. You might also see it used in comparative structures: Es tan obeso como su hermano (He is as obese as his brother).

Plurality: The plural is formed simply by adding -s: 'obesos' or 'obesas'.

Muchos niños obesos sufren de acoso escolar.

When talking about statistics, you will often see the phrase índice de sujetos obesos. This demonstrates how the adjective integrates into complex noun phrases. Remember that in Spanish, adjectives must match the noun in both gender and number, so always double-check if you are describing un grupo (masculine singular) or unas personas (feminine plural).

You will encounter obeso in very specific environments. It is not a word commonly shouted across a playground or used in a casual text message between friends unless they are discussing a medical diagnosis. The most frequent "habitats" for this word are the news, medical consultations, and academic papers.

The News and Media: Journalists use 'obeso' when reporting on health trends. You might hear: 'El treinta por ciento de la población es obesa'. This sounds objective and authoritative.

El telediario informó sobre los riesgos de ser un adolescente obeso.

In the medical field, obeso is the standard term. If you visit a nutritionist in Spain or Latin America, they will use this word to categorize your physical state based on measurements. They might say, "Usted entra en la categoría de obeso tipo 1". Here, the word is a tool for classification, devoid of the emotional baggage that gordo might carry.

Educational Settings: In biology or health class, students learn about 'el cuerpo obeso' and the physiological changes that occur with excess adipose tissue.

En la clase de anatomía, estudiamos cómo el corazón de un individuo obeso trabaja más intensamente.

You might also hear it in political debates regarding the "sugar tax" or regulations on junk food. Politicians will refer to la infancia obesa as a demographic that needs protection. In these cases, the word is used to highlight a societal problem. It is also found in literature, particularly in the Realism or Naturalism movements, where authors like Benito Pérez Galdós might have used it to describe characters with clinical detail.

Documentaries: Voiceovers in health documentaries will frequently use 'el sujeto obeso' when describing case studies.

El documental muestra la vida de un hombre obeso que intenta cambiar sus hábitos.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when using obeso is confusing it with gordo or using it in the wrong social context. While they both refer to weight, their "social temperature" is very different. Another common mistake is related to gender and number agreement, which is a staple of Spanish grammar hurdles.

Mistake 1: The 'Estar' Trap: English speakers often want to say 'está obeso' because they think of it as a current state. However, 'es obeso' is the standard. Using 'está' might imply they just became obese this morning, which is logically impossible.

Incorrecto: Él está obeso.
Correcto: Él es obeso.

Another error is failing to match the adjective to a feminine noun. Because obeso ends in 'o', it is not gender-neutral. Many learners forget to change it to obesa when referring to a woman or a feminine noun like población.

Mistake 2: Overusing it in casual speech: Calling a friend 'obeso' instead of 'gordito' (if you have that level of confidence) sounds incredibly harsh and clinical, like you are diagnosing them rather than teasing or describing them.

No deberías llamar obeso a tu hermano; suena muy frío.

Learners also sometimes confuse obeso with obesidad. Obeso is the adjective (the person is obese), whereas obesidad is the noun (the condition of obesity). You cannot say "Él tiene obeso"; you must say "Él tiene obesidad" or "Él es obeso".

Mistake 3: Spelling: Some learners try to spell it with a 'z' because of words like 'adelgazar'. It is always with an 's'.

Incorrecto: obezo.
Correcto: obeso.

Spanish has a rich vocabulary for describing body types, and choosing the right word depends entirely on the register and the level of politeness required. Obeso is at the top of the formality scale.

Obeso vs. Gordo: 'Obeso' is medical and formal. 'Gordo' is common, casual, and can be offensive OR affectionate depending on the country and tone.
Obeso vs. Sobrepeso: 'Tener sobrepeso' means to be overweight. It is slightly 'lighter' than being 'obeso'. It's often used as a more polite way to describe someone who isn't thin.

El paciente no es obeso, pero sí tiene sobrepeso.

If you want to be more euphemistic or polite, you might use entrado en carnes (literally "entered in meats") or robusto (robust/sturdy). These words avoid the clinical coldness of obeso and the bluntness of gordo. In a fashion context, you might hear tallas grandes (large sizes) or curvilíneo/a (curvy).

Corpulento: This means 'heavily built'. It implies a combination of size and strength, rather than just fat.

Era un hombre corpulento, de hombros anchos y gran estatura.

In summary, use obeso for medical or statistical facts, sobrepeso for a softer medical description, gordo for everyday (but careful!) speech, and robusto or corpulento to describe someone's large frame in a more neutral or positive light.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

In ancient Latin, 'obesus' could also mean 'wasted away' or 'eaten', which is the exact opposite of its current meaning. Over time, it shifted to describe the result of eating too much rather than being eaten.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /əʊˈbiːs/

US /oʊˈbis/

The stress in Spanish 'o-BE-so' is on the second syllable (the 'be').

Rima com

beso (kiss) peso (weight) preso (prisoner) tieso (stiff) queso (cheese) progreso (progress) suceso (event) espeso (thick)

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 's' like a 'z' (Spanish 's' is always soft).
Putting the stress on the last syllable (o-be-SO).
Pronouncing the 'o' like the English 'o' in 'hot' (it should be like 'go').
Adding an 'e' sound at the beginning (e-obeso).
Making the 'b' too hard like an English 'b' (it's softer in Spanish between vowels).

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 1/5

Very easy to recognize due to English cognate 'obese'.

Escrita 2/5

Requires attention to gender and number agreement.

Expressão oral 2/5

Easy to pronounce, but requires correct syllable stress.

Audição 1/5

Clearly distinguishable in speech.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

gordo cuerpo grande peso comer

Aprenda a seguir

obesidad saludable enfermedad médico síntoma

Avançado

adiposo sedentarismo metabolismo hipertensión endocrinología

Gramática essencial

Adjective Agreement

La gata obesa / El gato obeso.

Ser vs Estar with Adjectives

Él es obeso (characteristic) vs Él está gordo (current state).

Substantivization of Adjectives

Los obesos (The obese people).

Position of Adjectives

Un hombre obeso (Standard) vs Un obeso hombre (Poetic/Rare).

Diminutives for Softening

Gordito (Soft) vs Obeso (Clinical/Hard).

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Exemplos por nível

El gato de mi abuela es muy obeso.

My grandmother's cat is very obese.

Adjective 'obeso' matches masculine singular 'gato'.

Juan no es delgado, él es obeso.

Juan is not thin, he is obese.

Contrast between 'delgado' and 'obeso'.

La mujer obesa camina por el parque.

The obese woman walks through the park.

Adjective 'obesa' matches feminine singular 'mujer'.

Ellos son obesos porque comen mucho.

They are obese because they eat a lot.

Plural form 'obesos' matches 'ellos'.

Mi perro es un poco obeso.

My dog is a little obese.

Use of 'un poco' to modify the adjective.

¿Es ese hombre obeso?

Is that man obese?

Question structure in Spanish.

El oso es grande y obeso.

The bear is big and obese.

Two adjectives describing the same noun.

No quiero ser obeso.

I don't want to be obese.

Use of the infinitive 'ser' with the adjective.

El doctor dice que el paciente es obeso.

The doctor says the patient is obese.

Reporting what someone said using 'dice que'.

Muchas personas son obesas en este país.

Many people are obese in this country.

Plural feminine agreement: 'personas' and 'obesas'.

Es difícil correr cuando uno es obeso.

It is difficult to run when one is obese.

Impersonal 'uno' used with 'ser'.

El niño obeso necesita una dieta saludable.

The obese boy needs a healthy diet.

Noun-adjective pair: 'niño obeso'.

Mi tío era obeso, pero ahora es delgado.

My uncle was obese, but now he is thin.

Use of imperfect 'era' for a past state.

Si comes solo dulces, serás obeso.

If you eat only sweets, you will be obese.

Future tense 'serás'.

Hay un programa para ayudar a los perros obesos.

There is a program to help obese dogs.

Plural masculine agreement: 'perros' and 'obesos'.

Ella no es obesa, solo tiene los huesos anchos.

She is not obese, she just has wide bones.

Common excuse/phrase using 'huesos anchos'.

La obesidad infantil es un problema serio para el niño obeso.

Childhood obesity is a serious problem for the obese child.

Distinction between the noun 'obesidad' and the adjective 'obeso'.

Un paciente obeso tiene más riesgo de sufrir diabetes.

An obese patient has a higher risk of suffering from diabetes.

Use of 'riesgo de' followed by an infinitive.

Es importante no discriminar a nadie por ser obeso.

It is important not to discriminate against anyone for being obese.

The preposition 'por' followed by the infinitive 'ser'.

El sedentarismo es la causa principal de que el hombre sea obeso.

Sedentary lifestyle is the main cause of the man being obese.

Subjunctive 'sea' after 'causa de que'.

Aunque es obeso, sus análisis de sangre son normales.

Although he is obese, his blood tests are normal.

Concession clause using 'aunque'.

La mayoría de los sujetos obesos en el estudio perdieron peso.

Most of the obese subjects in the study lost weight.

Substantivized adjective 'los sujetos obesos'.

Ser obeso puede afectar la autoestima de los adolescentes.

Being obese can affect the self-esteem of adolescents.

Infinitive 'ser' acting as the subject of the sentence.

El veterinario recomendó ejercicio para el gato obeso.

The vet recommended exercise for the obese cat.

Preterite 'recomendó' with a direct object.

El sistema de salud debe enfocarse en prevenir que la población sea obesa.

The health system must focus on preventing the population from being obese.

Subjunctive 'sea' after the verb 'prevenir'.

Clínicamente, se considera obeso a quien tiene un IMC superior a treinta.

Clinically, a person with a BMI over thirty is considered obese.

Impersonal 'se' structure.

Los individuos obesos a menudo enfrentan barreras en el mercado laboral.

Obese individuals often face barriers in the labor market.

Noun phrase 'Los individuos obesos'.

La industria alimentaria tiene parte de culpa en que haya tantos niños obesos.

The food industry is partly to blame for there being so many obese children.

Subjunctive 'haya' in a cause-and-effect sentence.

No todos los que tienen sobrepeso terminan siendo obesos.

Not everyone who is overweight ends up being obese.

Gerund 'siendo' after the verb 'terminar'.

El tratamiento para un paciente obeso debe ser multidisciplinar.

The treatment for an obese patient must be multidisciplinary.

Adjective 'multidisciplinar' describing 'tratamiento'.

Es un mito que todo individuo obeso sea perezoso.

It is a myth that every obese individual is lazy.

Subjunctive 'sea' after 'Es un mito que'.

La genética juega un papel crucial en por qué alguien es obeso.

Genetics play a crucial role in why someone is obese.

Indirect question structure 'por qué'.

La estigmatización del cuerpo obeso en los medios de comunicación es alarmante.

The stigmatization of the obese body in the media is alarming.

Complex noun phrase 'La estigmatización del cuerpo obeso'.

Resulta imperativo abordar las causas sistémicas que hacen al ciudadano obeso.

It is imperative to address the systemic causes that make the citizen obese.

Structure 'hacer a [alguien] [adjetivo]'.

El estudio longitudinal analizó la trayectoria de salud de mil sujetos obesos.

The longitudinal study analyzed the health trajectory of a thousand obese subjects.

Technical term 'estudio longitudinal'.

A pesar de ser obeso, el atleta demostró una resistencia cardiovascular notable.

Despite being obese, the athlete demonstrated remarkable cardiovascular endurance.

Connector 'A pesar de' with infinitive 'ser'.

La distinción entre ser obeso y tener una constitución robusta es a menudo subjetiva.

The distinction between being obese and having a robust build is often subjective.

Comparison of two states of being.

Muchos argumentan que el término 'obeso' debería ser reemplazado por lenguaje más humano.

Many argue that the term 'obese' should be replaced by more humane language.

Passive voice 'ser reemplazado'.

La correlación entre el nivel socioeconómico y ser obeso es innegable en las zonas urbanas.

The correlation between socioeconomic level and being obese is undeniable in urban areas.

Noun 'correlación' with preposition 'entre'.

El paciente fue diagnosticado como obeso mórbido tras la evaluación clínica.

The patient was diagnosed as morbidly obese following the clinical evaluation.

Use of 'como' to indicate a category.

La ontología del individuo obeso ha sido objeto de debate en la filosofía de la medicina.

The ontology of the obese individual has been the subject of debate in the philosophy of medicine.

Highly academic term 'ontología'.

Se debate si el estado de ser obeso constituye una patología per se o una respuesta adaptativa.

It is debated whether the state of being obese constitutes a pathology per se or an adaptive response.

Use of Latinism 'per se'.

La representación del personaje obeso en la literatura del siglo XIX solía denotar decadencia moral.

The representation of the obese character in 19th-century literature used to denote moral decadence.

Historical literary analysis context.

La medicalización de la gordura ha transformado al sujeto gordo en un paciente obeso.

The medicalization of fatness has transformed the fat subject into an obese patient.

Abstract noun 'medicalización'.

No se puede obviar el sesgo implícito que los profesionales tienen hacia el paciente obeso.

One cannot ignore the implicit bias that professionals have towards the obese patient.

Phrase 'No se puede obviar'.

La dicotomía entre el cuerpo obeso y el ideal estético contemporáneo genera tensiones psicosociales.

The dichotomy between the obese body and the contemporary aesthetic ideal generates psychosocial tensions.

Sophisticated noun 'dicotomía'.

El análisis de la adiposidad revela que ser obeso es un fenómeno multifactorial extremadamente complejo.

The analysis of adiposity reveals that being obese is an extremely complex multifactorial phenomenon.

Adjective 'multifactorial'.

La semántica de la palabra 'obeso' ha evolucionado desde una mera descripción a una etiqueta clínica cargada.

The semantics of the word 'obese' have evolved from a mere description to a loaded clinical label.

Noun 'semántica' with the verb 'ha evolucionado'.

Colocações comuns

clínicamente obeso

mórbidamente obeso

niño obeso

población obesa

sujeto obeso

adulto obeso

paciente obeso

individuo obeso

perro obeso

ser obeso

Frases Comuns

entrar en la categoría de obeso

— To be classified as obese in a medical sense.

Si sigues ganando peso, vas a entrar en la categoría de obeso.

luchar contra el ser obeso

— To struggle with being obese.

Luchar contra el ser obeso requiere mucha fuerza de voluntad.

riesgos de ser obeso

— The risks associated with obesity.

Hablamos sobre los riesgos de ser obeso en la escuela.

un futuro obeso

— A future where someone is obese (often referring to children).

Debemos evitar que los niños tengan un futuro obeso.

corazón de obeso

— An obese person's heart (referring to its physical state).

El corazón de obeso suele estar rodeado de grasa.

estigma del obeso

— The social stigma faced by obese people.

El estigma del obeso es una barrera para su salud mental.

tratamiento para el obeso

— Medical treatment for an obese person.

El tratamiento para el obeso incluye dieta y terapia.

adolescente obeso

— An obese teenager.

Un adolescente obeso puede sufrir de depresión.

genéticamente obeso

— Obese due to genetic factors.

Él afirma que es genéticamente obeso.

físicamente obeso

— Physically appearing obese.

Aunque es físicamente obeso, es muy ágil.

Frequentemente confundido com

obeso vs hueso

Sounds similar but means 'bone'. 'Obeso' is about fat, 'hueso' is about skeleton.

obeso vs obseso

Means 'obsessed'. Don't confuse 'obeso' (fat) with 'obseso' (obsessed person).

obeso vs obeso vs obesidad

Obeso is the adjective (person), obesidad is the noun (disease).

Expressões idiomáticas

"estar como un obeso"

— To be very fat (used as a comparison).

Después de las vacaciones, estoy como un obeso.

Informal

"ponerse obeso"

— To become obese (emphasizing the process).

Se puso obeso por culpa del estrés.

Neutral

"verse obeso"

— To see oneself as obese.

Él se ve obeso aunque solo tiene sobrepeso.

Neutral

"quedarse obeso"

— To remain obese or to have become obese as a result of something.

Se quedó obeso tras el accidente que le impidió caminar.

Neutral

"nacer obeso"

— To be born with high weight (metaphorically or literally).

Ese negocio nació obeso y con demasiados gastos.

Metaphorical

"el obeso y el flaco"

— A duo of a fat person and a thin person (referring to Laurel and Hardy type pairs).

Parecen el obeso y el flaco caminando juntos.

Informal

"vivir como un obeso"

— To live a sedentary, over-consuming lifestyle.

No puedes vivir como un obeso y esperar estar sano.

Informal

"mente de obeso"

— A mindset focused on overeating even after losing weight.

Aún tiene mente de obeso y piensa siempre en comida.

Psychological/Informal

"morir obeso"

— To die while being obese (often used in health warnings).

Si no te cuidas, vas a morir obeso.

Harsh/Direct

"sentirse obeso"

— To feel bloated or very heavy.

Me siento obeso después de esta cena de Navidad.

Informal

Fácil de confundir

obeso vs Obseso

Very similar spelling and pronunciation.

Obeso refers to weight; obseso refers to a psychological obsession.

Es un obseso del trabajo (He's a workaholic) vs Es un hombre obeso (He's an obese man).

obeso vs Adiposo

Both relate to fat.

Adiposo is used for the tissue (tejido adiposo), obeso is used for the whole person.

Tiene mucho tejido adiposo.

obeso vs Corpulento

Both describe large people.

Corpulento implies muscle and frame; obeso implies excess fat.

El luchador es corpulento.

obeso vs Grueso

Translation of 'thick' or 'heavy'.

Grueso is more polite and less clinical than obeso.

Es un hombre grueso.

obeso vs Hinchado

Both mean looking big.

Hinchado means swollen (due to injury or water), obeso is permanent fat.

Tengo el pie hinchado.

Padrões de frases

[Nombre] es obeso.

Mi perro es obeso.

No soy obeso, pero soy [adjetivo].

No soy obeso, pero soy grande.

Es un problema ser obeso porque [razón].

Es un problema ser obeso porque afecta al corazón.

Se considera obeso a quien [condición].

Se considera obeso a quien tiene mucha grasa.

A pesar de ser obeso, [contraste].

A pesar de ser obeso, corre maratones.

La tendencia a ser obeso se debe a [causa].

La tendencia a ser obeso se debe a la mala dieta.

El estigma asociado al individuo obeso [verbo].

El estigma asociado al individuo obeso persiste.

Si el sujeto no fuera obeso, [hipótesis].

Si el sujeto no fuera obeso, su rodilla no dolería.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

obesidad (obesity)

obesidad mórbida (morbid obesity)

Verbos

obesificar (rarely used, to make obese)

engordar (to get fat - more common)

Adjetivos

obeso (obese)

obesa (obese - feminine)

Relacionado

grasa (fat)

sobrepeso (overweight)

caloría (calorie)

nutrición (nutrition)

sedentarismo (sedentary lifestyle)

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Como usar

frequency

Frequently used in medical and news contexts; rarely in social settings.

Erros comuns

El obeso hombre. → El hombre obeso.
In Spanish, descriptive adjectives almost always come after the noun.
Ella es muy obeso. → Ella es muy obesa.
Adjectives must match the gender of the person being described.
Él tiene obeso. → Él es obeso / Él tiene obesidad.
You cannot 'have' an adjective. You 'are' an adjective or you 'have' a noun.
La gente son obesos. → La gente es obesa.
'Gente' is a singular feminine noun in Spanish, so the adjective must be singular and feminine.
Estoy muy obeso hoy. → Me siento muy gordo hoy.
'Obeso' is a permanent medical condition. You don't become 'obeso' just for one day after a meal.

Dicas

Use in Essays

When writing for university or school, always choose 'obeso' over 'gordo'. It shows a higher level of vocabulary and academic tone.

Gender Match

Check your nouns! If you use 'población', use 'obesa'. If you use 'sector', use 'obeso'. This is a common mistake for B1 learners.

Sensitivity

If you are talking to a friend about their weight, 'obeso' might sound too much like a diagnosis. Try 'tienes que cuidarte' (you have to take care of yourself) instead.

Related Noun

Learn 'obesidad' along with 'obeso'. You will often need the noun to describe the problem: 'La obesidad es peligrosa'.

Syllable Stress

Put the emphasis on the 'BE'. Say it out loud: o-BEEEE-so. This makes you sound much more native.

News Keywords

In Spanish news, 'obeso' is a keyword. If you see it in a headline, the article is definitely about health or food regulations.

Context Clues

If you hear 'obeso' in a movie, pay attention to the character. Is it a doctor? A bully? The context changes the meaning's impact.

The 'O' Shape

The word starts and ends with 'O', a round letter. Use this visual to remember it refers to a round body shape.

Avoid 'Estar'

Try to stick with 'ser obeso'. Using 'estar' with 'obeso' sounds slightly off to native ears.

Variety

Don't repeat 'obeso' too much in a paragraph. Switch between 'paciente', 'sujeto', and 'persona con obesidad'.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of the word 'Obese' in English. It's almost identical! Just add an 'o' at the end for Spanish. O-BES-O. The 'O's look like round circles, representing the body shape.

Associação visual

Imagine two giant 'O's at the beginning and end of the word 'bes' (which sounds like 'kiss' in Spanish). An obese person trapped between two kisses.

Word Web

Salud Médico Grasa Peso Dieta Ejercicio IMC Comida

Desafio

Try to use 'obeso' and 'obesidad' in the same sentence while describing a news report you recently 'watched'.

Origem da palavra

From the Latin 'obesus', which is the past participle of 'obedere'. The prefix 'ob-' means 'over' or 'completely', and 'edere' means 'to eat'. Therefore, the original meaning was 'having eaten oneself fat' or 'devoured'.

Significado original: Eaten away, or fat from eating.

Romance (Latin origin)

Contexto cultural

Always prefer 'persona con obesidad' in social or humanitarian contexts to be most respectful.

In English, 'obese' is strictly medical and often feels more stigmatizing than in Spanish, where it is just the formal standard.

The Botero sculptures: Famous Colombian artist Fernando Botero paints 'voluminous' figures, often described by critics as 'obeso' or 'robusto'. Public Health Campaigns: 'Ponte al 100' in Mexico frequently uses 'obeso' in its literature. Literature: Characters in 'Fortunata y Jacinta' are sometimes described with clinical physical traits.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

At the Doctor

¿Soy obeso?
Tengo un paciente obeso.
Riesgos de ser obeso.
Dieta para obesos.

In the News

Aumento de niños obesos.
La población obesa crece.
Crisis de sujetos obesos.
Estadísticas de obesos.

In School/Biology

El cuerpo obeso.
Células de un obeso.
Anatomía del obeso.
Corazón obeso.

In Animal Care

Mi gato es obeso.
Perro obeso dieta.
Caballo obeso.
Animales obesos riesgos.

In Social Discussions

Discriminación al obeso.
Estereotipo del obeso.
Derechos de los obesos.
Moda para personas obesas.

Iniciadores de conversa

"¿Crees que el término 'obeso' es demasiado frío para usarlo con amigos?"

"¿Qué medidas debería tomar el gobierno para ayudar a los niños obesos?"

"¿Has notado que hay más perros obesos en la ciudad últimamente?"

"En tu país, ¿se usa más la palabra 'gordo' o 'obeso' en las noticias?"

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

Temas para diário

Describe la diferencia entre cómo te sientes cuando estás 'lleno' y cuando te sientes 'obeso' después de una fiesta.

Escribe un artículo corto sobre los peligros de ser un adolescente obeso en la era de las redes sociales.

Imagina que eres un médico. Escribe un consejo para un paciente que acaba de ser diagnosticado como obeso.

Reflexiona sobre cómo la publicidad influye en que la población sea cada vez más obesa.

Escribe sobre un personaje de un libro que sea obeso y cómo su peso afecta su personalidad.

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

En un contexto médico o formal, no es ofensivo, es descriptivo. Sin embargo, decírselo a alguien directamente en una conversación casual puede sonar frío o grosero. Es mejor usar términos más suaves como 'sobrepeso' o 'gordito' si hay confianza.

'Obeso' es un término clínico y formal. 'Gordo' es la palabra común que usamos todos los días. 'Gordo' puede ser un insulto o un apodo cariñoso, mientras que 'obeso' siempre es serio.

Se dice 'mujer obesa'. Recuerda que el adjetivo debe terminar en 'a' para coincidir con el género femenino.

Gramaticalmente es mejor decir 'soy obeso', porque se considera una característica. Sin embargo, si quieres decir que te sientes gordo en ese momento, es mejor decir 'me siento gordo'.

Es una categoría médica para personas con una obesidad muy grave que pone en peligro su vida de forma inmediata. Es el nivel más alto de obesidad.

Sí, es muy común en veterinaria. Por ejemplo: 'Mi gato está obeso y necesita dieta'.

El plural masculino es 'obesos' y el femenino es 'obesas'.

Siempre se escribe con 's'. No lo confundas con palabras como 'adelgazar'.

Puede ser ambos. Como adjetivo: 'Un hombre obeso'. Como sustantivo: 'Los obesos sufren discriminación'.

El antónimo más directo es 'delgado' (thin) o 'flaco' (skinny).

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