me encanta el pescado
/me enkanta el peskado/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I love fish" is expressed in Spanish as me encanta el pescado.
This phrase is used to express a strong liking for fish as a type of food. Using me encanta implies a much stronger passion or delight than simply saying me gusta (I like).
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase is structured as "to me it enchants the fish", where encanta functions like the verb "to enchant" or "to delight".
How does it change in a sentence?
Because encantar works like the verb gustar, the subject of the sentence is actually el pescado (the fish) rather than yo (I). If you were to refer to multiple specific types of fish as the subject, the verb must change to the plural form me encantan los pescados.
Did you know?
- In Spanish, there is a strict distinction between pez and pescado. You use pez for a living fish in water and pescado only once it has been caught and is ready to eat.
- The verb encantar comes from the same root as the English word 'enchant'. While it is used for liking food, it can also describe being put under a magic spell.
- While me encanta el pescado is common, saying amo el pescado sounds overly dramatic or poetic to most native speakers, as amar is usually reserved for people or deep spiritual passions.
Examples in context
- Me encanta el pescado.I love fish.This sentence is useful for expressing that you love fish using the form me encanta el pescado.Tatoeba #4638106 by lawka, translation #4641685 by iceqween000
- ¡Me encanta el pescado! Siempre disfruto una buena lubina asada.I love fish! I always enjoy a good roasted sea bass.
- Mi madre prepara el mejor bacalao, ¡me chifla su sabor!My mother makes the best cod, I adore its taste!
- Me encanta el pescado cuando es fresco.I love fish when it is fresh.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are choosing a restaurant for dinner.
- Lucía¿Quieres ir a un restaurante de carne?Do you want to go to a meat restaurant?
- JavierNo, prefiero algo diferente porque me encanta el pescado.No, I prefer something different because I love fish.
- LucíaEstá bien, buscaremos un lugar de mariscos.That is fine, we will look for a seafood place.
- Javier¡Perfecto, gracias, Lucía!Perfect, thanks, Lucía!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
