bagre
/ˈbaɡɾe/masculine
The English phrase 'catfish' can be translated into Spanish as bagre. If unsure, use bagre. Wiktionary also lists siluro and pez gato.
Meaning: type of fish (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bagre | /ˈbaɡɾe/ | masculine |
| siluro | /siˈluɾo/ | masculine |
| pez gato | /ˌpeθ ˈɡato/ /ˌpes ˈɡato/ |
masculine |
| filín | /filin/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| juilín | /xwilin/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term refers to a type of fish. In a modern internet context, the English slang 'to catfish' (creating a fake identity to deceive someone) is expressed by the phrase engañar con un perfil falso rather than a single noun.
Which one should you use?
bagre is the general and most common way to refer to a catfish.
Is it said differently in some regions?
bagre is the most common term in many Spanish-speaking countries, particularly in Latin America. siluro is more frequently used in Spain.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
All provided forms for the fish are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbaɡɾe/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word bagre can be used metaphorically to describe a person who is unattractive, playing on the fish's often muddy or unattractive appearance.
- While you might expect the word for 'fish' to be used, the term pez is strictly reserved for living fish, whereas pescado is used for fish that has been caught or is being cooked.
- The word bagre may have roots in Mozarabic, a Romance language spoken in the Iberian Peninsula during the Middle Ages.
Examples in context
- El pescador estaba emocionado por atrapar un siluro en el río cercano.The fisherman was excited to catch a catfish in the nearby river.
- Aquí en Colombia, el bagre es un pescado muy popular.Here in Colombia, catfish is a very popular fish.
- Mi abuelo pesca bagres en el río todos los domingos.My grandfather catches catfish in the river every Sunday.
- ¿Sabías que el pez gato puede llegar a ser muy grande?Did you know that catfish can grow to be very large?
- Comimos un delicioso mojarrón frito en el restaurante local.We had a delicious fried catfish at the local restaurant.
- El bagre es muy grande.The catfish is very large.
- Pesqué un bagre en el río.I caught a catfish in the river.
- ¿Te gusta comer bagre?Do you like eating catfish?
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are at a fish market.
- JavierMira, este bagre se ve muy fresco.Look, this catfish looks very fresh.
- ElenaTienes razón, Javier. Vamos a comprarlo.You're right, Javier. Let's buy it.
- Javier¿Sabe cocinar el bagre Elena?Do you know how to cook catfish, Elena?
- ElenaSí, lo preparo al horno.Yes, I prepare it in the oven.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “catfish” translations and entries bagre, siluro, pez gato, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bagre, gato, pez, siluro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
