vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"Bajo" is a form of "bajo", an adjective which is often translated as "short". "Gordo" is an adjective which is often translated as "fat". Learn more about the difference between "gordo" and "bajo" below.
gordo(
gohr
-
doh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. fat
Ese gato está tan gordo que no alcanza saltar al sofá.That cat is so fat it can't jump onto the couch.
b. overweight
Los luchadores de sumo tienen que ser gordos.Sumo wrestlers have to be overweight.
c. heavy
El chico gordo decidió ponerse en forma.The heavy boy decided to get in shape.
a. thick
Tengo que leer un libro gordo para mi clase de historia.I have to read a thick book for my history class.
a. big
Te vas a meter en un lío gordo si sigues así.You're going to get yourself into big trouble if you keep carrying on like that.
b. serious
Mi hermana me marcó para contarme que le pasó algo gordo en el DF.My sister called me to tell me something serious happened to her in Mexico City.
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
masculine or feminine noun
a. fat person
Se burlaron de mí porque soy gordo.They made fun of me for being a fat person.
b. fat man
A word or phrase that is masculine (e.g., el libro).
(masculine)
Yo estaba sentado entre dos gordos.I was sitting between two fat men.
c. fat woman
A word or phrase that is feminine (e.g., la manzana).
(feminine)
La gorda que tenía adelante caminaba más lento que yo.The fat woman in front of me walked more slowly than I.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. dear
Te ves muy bien, gordo.You look wonderful, dear.
a. fat
Quítale el gordo a la carne antes de meterla al sartén.Remove the fat from the meat before putting it in the pan.
a. jackpot
Pues, como me gané el gordo, ¡voy a renunciar!Well, since I won the jackpot, I'm going to quit!
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.
bajo(
bah
-
hoh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. short (person)
Es un poco bajo para su edad.He is a bit short for his age.
b. low (object)
Esta mesa es demasiado baja para trabajar bien.This table is too low to work comfortably.
a. low
Estamos probando una dieta de comida baja en calorías.We are trying out a low-calorie diet.
a. low
No quiero comprar nada que sea de baja calidad.I don't want to buy anything that is low quality.
a. ground
El departamento de papelería está en la planta baja.The stationery department is on the ground floor.
a. late
La reforma protestante llegó a su clímax en la baja Edad Media.The Protestant Reformation reached its climax in the late Middle Ages.
a. faint
Oí un ruido bajo que venía del sótano.I heard a faint noise coming from the cellar.
a. low
El nombre de Holanda, o los Países Bajos, en inglés literalmente significa "país bajo".The Netherlands, or the Low Countries, in English literally means "low country."
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
masculine noun
a. bass
Mi hermano toca el bajo en una banda.My brother plays bass in a band.
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
preposition
a. under
Lleva el sombrero bajo el brazo.He carries his hat under his arm.
a. under
Bajo Castro, todas las salidas estaban bajo vigilancia.Under Castro, all exits were under surveillance.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
adverb
a. low
Mira qué bajo están volando los pájaros.Look at how low the birds are flying.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.