pez dorado
/ˌpeθ doˈɾado/
The English phrase "gold fish" is translated into Spanish as pez dorado.
pez dorado refers to a small fish with orange or golden scales often kept as a pet in a bowl or tank.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of pez (fish) and dorado (golden/gilded).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase peces de colores is used to refer to goldfish.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form changes both the noun and the adjective to peces dorados.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌpeθ doˈɾado/
Did you know?
- Spanish has a distinct word for a fish that is still alive and swimming (pez) versus a fish that has been caught and is ready to eat (pescado).
- In Spanish, the term dorado is used not just for the pet fish, but also to describe the ' Mahi-mahi' game fish, which is known globally as the 'dorade'.
- In Spanish, the word dorado comes from the Latin word for 'gilded', meaning the fish is described as if it were covered in a thin layer of gold leaf.
Examples in context
- En mi última visita a México, me impresionaron las carpas doradas en los estanques.During my last visit to Mexico, I was impressed by the goldfish in the ponds.
- Necesito comprar comida especial para mi pez dorado.I need to buy special food for my goldfish.
- Mis hijos quieren un acuario lleno de peces de colores.My children want an aquarium full of colorful fish.
- El pez dorado nada en la pecera.The goldfish swims in the fish tank.
- Compré un pez dorado para mi hijo.I bought a goldfish for my son.
- ¿Es ese un pez dorado?Is that a goldfish?
Example conversation
Daniel and Sofía are looking at a pet store window.
- DanielMira ese pez dorado, es muy bonito.Look at that goldfish, it is very pretty.
- SofíaSí, Daniel, es muy brillante.Yes, Daniel, it is very bright.
- Daniel¿Quieres comprar un pez dorado para la oficina?Do you want to buy a goldfish for the office?
- SofíaNo, no tengo tiempo para cuidarlo.No, I don't have time to take care of it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pez dorado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dorado, pez, CC BY-SA 4.0.
