Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| pez | /ˈpeθ/ /ˈpes/ |
masculine |
| pescado | /pesˈkado/ | masculine |
| peje | /ˈpexe/ | masculine |
| pesce (disused) | masculine |
The term for fish in Spanish changes based on whether you are talking about a living creature or a source of food. The verb pescar is used to describe the act of catching fish or other aquatic animals.
Which one should you use?
The choice between these forms depends on the state of the fish. Use pez when referring to a fish while it is still alive and swimming in the water. Use pescado when referring to a fish that has been caught and is being used as food.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Both terms are masculine nouns. The plural of pez is peces, and the plural of pescado is pescados.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpeθ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use one word for both living and dead fish, but in Spanish, you must distinguish between pez for a living animal and pescado for food.
When do people say it?
In culinary contexts, such as on menus, you will often see the phrase Pescados y mariscos, which means 'fish and seafood'.
Did you know?
- The word pez is a linguistic double agent. While it is the standard word for fish, it is also the exact same word used for 'pitch' or 'resin', a thick, sticky substance used for waterproofing.
- Be careful when ordering in a restaurant, as the word pez refers only to the living creature. If you ask for un pez at a dining table, you are asking for a live animal to be served instead of a meal.
Examples in context
- No es un pez.It's not a fish.This sentence is useful for practicing the negative form of pez.Tatoeba #1513877 by marcelostockle, translation #1513673 by CM
- Esto es un pez.This is a fish.This sentence is useful for practicing the affirmative form of pez.Tatoeba #3048279 by hayastan, translation #2629585 by CM
- Casi cojo el pez.I almost caught the fish.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of pez in a sentence.Tatoeba #1753845 by wallebot, translation #255778 by CK
- Me encanta el pescado a la parrilla.I love grilled fish.
- El pescado que compré en el mercado es muy fresco.The fish I bought at the market is very fresh.
- Los pescados en este restaurante son siempre deliciosos.The fish at this restaurant is always delicious.
- Tengo un pez llamado Nemo.I have a fish named Nemo.
- Los peces nadan en el acuario.The fish swim in the aquarium.
- 298 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are visiting an aquarium.
- DanielMira ese pez dorado.Look at that gold fish.
- ElenaEs muy bonito, Daniel.It is very pretty, Daniel.
- Daniel¿Cuál es tu pez favorito?Which is your favorite fish?
- ElenaMe gusta el pez payaso.I like the clown fish.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “fish” translations and entries pez, pescado, peje, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries peje, pescado, pez, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
