Estar como pez en el agua

/es-TAR KOH-moh PETH en el AH-gwah/

To feel very comfortable or at ease in a particular situation; to be in one's element.

Level:B1Register:NeutralCommon:★★★★★

💡 Understanding the Idiom

Literal Translation:

"To be like a fish in the water"

What It Really Means:

To feel very comfortable or at ease in a particular situation; to be in one's element.

English Equivalents:

To be like a fish in waterTo be in one's elementTo be right at homeTo take to something like a duck to water

🎨 Literal vs. Figurative

💭 Literal

Literally, this means 'to be like a fish in the water'.

✨ Figurative

The actual meaning of the idiom, showing a person looking happy and confident while doing an activity they love.

In practice, it means to feel completely comfortable and in your element.

Key Words in This Idiom:

pez

📝 In Action

Desde que empezó a trabajar como diseñadora gráfica, está como pez en el agua.

Since she started working as a graphic designer, she's been in her element.

A Juan le encantan las fiestas. En cuanto llega, se pone a hablar con todo el mundo y está como pez en el agua.

Juan loves parties. As soon as he arrives, he starts talking to everyone and is right at home.

📜 Origin Story

This idiom is a direct and vivid metaphor. A fish's natural environment is water, where it can move freely, breathe, and thrive. Outside of water, it struggles and cannot survive. The comparison is straightforward: when a person is 'like a fish in water,' they are in a situation or environment that is perfectly suited to their skills and personality, allowing them to feel natural, comfortable, and successful.

⭐ Usage Tips

Highlighting a Perfect Fit

Use this phrase to describe someone who is perfectly suited for a situation, job, or social setting. It emphasizes a natural talent or comfort level.

A Very Positive Feeling

This is a very positive expression. You use it to compliment someone or to describe your own feeling of complete contentment and competence.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'Pez' and 'Pescado'

Mistake: "Using 'pescado' instead of 'pez'. For example, saying 'Estoy como pescado en el agua.'"

Correction: Remember that 'pez' refers to a live fish (in the water), while 'pescado' refers to a fish that has been caught and is usually food. Since the idiom is about a living creature in its natural habitat, you must use 'pez'.

🌎 Where It's Used

🌍

Global

This is a universal idiom understood and used throughout the entire Spanish-speaking world, from Spain to Argentina.

🔗 Related Idioms

↔️Similar Meanings

estar en su salsa

To be in one's element (literally 'to be in one's sauce')

sentirse a sus anchas

To feel at ease or comfortable

⇆Opposite Meanings

estar fuera de lugar

To feel out of place

ser un pulpo en un garaje

To be clumsy or out of place (like an octopus in a garage)

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: Estar como pez en el agua

Question 1 of 1

If someone says, 'Marta está como pez en el agua en su nuevo trabajo,' what does it mean?

🏷️ Tags

AnimalsCommonly UsedEmotions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this idiom to talk about myself?

Absolutely! It's very common to say 'Estoy como pez en el agua' to express that you feel very comfortable and happy in a particular situation.

Is this idiom formal or informal?

It's generally considered neutral. You can use it in everyday informal conversations with friends, but it's also perfectly acceptable in more formal settings, like describing a colleague's performance at work.