vs 

QUICK ANSWER
"Gordo" is an adjective which is often translated as "fat", and "obeso" is an adjective which is often translated as "obese". Learn more about the difference between "gordo" and "obeso" 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.
obeso(
oh
-
beh
-
soh
)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
adjective
a. obese
Los Estados Unidos y México se encuentran entre los países con el mayor número de personas obesas en el mundo.The United States and Mexico are among the countries in the world with the greatest number of obese people.
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. obese person
Los obesos frecuentemente sufren de diabetes y enfermedad cardíaca.Obese people frequently suffer from diabetes and heart disease.
Copyright © 2025 Dictionary Media Group, Inc.