pañal
“pañal” means “diaper” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
diaper, nappy
Also: swaddling cloth
📝 In Action
El bebé necesita un pañal limpio.
A1The baby needs a clean diaper.
He comprado un paquete de pañales desechables.
A2I have bought a pack of disposable diapers.
Antiguamente, todos los pañales eran de tela.
B1In the old days, all diapers were made of cloth.
in its infancy
Also: early stages
📝 In Action
El proyecto de inteligencia artificial aún está en pañales.
B2The artificial intelligence project is still in its infancy.
Nuestra relación estaba en pañales cuando decidimos mudarnos juntos.
C1Our relationship was in the early stages when we decided to move in together.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: pañal
Question 1 of 3
If you need to change a baby's diaper, what verb should you use with 'pañal'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Spanish word 'paño' (cloth), which traces back to the Latin word 'pannus' meaning a piece of cloth or garment.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'pañal' used for adult diapers too?
Yes, 'pañal' is the general term for any absorbent undergarment, whether for infants or adults ('pañales para adultos').
What is a 'pañalera'?
A 'pañalera' is a diaper bag—the bag parents carry to hold diapers, wipes, and bottles.
Do people use the brand name 'Pampers' to mean diaper?
In some Latin American countries, people might colloquially say 'pampers' (pronounced pam-pers), but 'pañal' is the correct and most understood term everywhere.