padres
/PAH-dress/
parents
As a noun, padres means 'parents' (mother and father together).
📝 In Action
Mis padres viven en Argentina.
A1My parents live in Argentina.
Voy a conocer a los padres de mi novia.
A2I'm going to meet my girlfriend's parents.
Todos los padres de los alumnos vinieron a la reunión.
B1All the students' fathers came to the meeting.
💡 Grammar Points
One Word for Both Parents
In Spanish, you use the masculine plural word padres to talk about both your mother and father together. It's a super useful shortcut!
When It Means 'Fathers'
Padres can also just mean 'fathers' if you're talking about a group of only men. The situation usually makes it clear which one is meant.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'Padres' and 'Parientes'
Mistake: "Mis parientes son mi mamá y mi papá."
Correction: Mis padres son mi mamá y mi papá. Be careful! The word `parientes` looks like 'parents,' but it actually means 'relatives' in general (like aunts, uncles, and cousins).
In informal Mexican Spanish, padres is an adjective meaning 'cool' or 'great.'
📝 In Action
¡Qué padres están tus tenis!
B1Your sneakers are so cool!
Visitamos unos lugares muy padres en la Riviera Maya.
B2We visited some really cool places on the Riviera Maya.
Sus hijos son muy padres, siempre nos ayudan.
B2Their kids are really great, they always help us.
💡 Grammar Points
Describing Plural Things
When you use padres to mean 'cool,' it's describing more than one thing. For just one cool thing, you'd use the singular form, padre (e.g., 'un coche padre' - a cool car).
⭐ Usage Tips
Mainly in Mexico
This is a classic piece of Mexican slang. While many Spanish speakers will understand it from movies, it can sound a bit out of place if you use it in Spain or Argentina. Stick to local words for 'cool' when traveling.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: padres
Question 1 of 2
Your friend from Mexico says, '¡Tus zapatos nuevos están muy padres!' What does he mean?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
If 'padres' means parents, how do I say just 'mothers'?
You would use the specific word 'madres'. Spanish uses the masculine plural form like 'padres' for a mixed group (mother and father), but the feminine plural 'madres' for a group of only women.
Can I use 'padres' to mean 'cool' in Spain?
It's best not to. While they might understand you, it's not used there at all. In Spain, you would say 'guay' or 'chulo' to mean 'cool'.
What's the difference between 'padres' and 'papas'?
'Padres' is the standard, neutral word for 'parents'. 'Papás' is a more informal and affectionate term, similar to saying 'mom and dad' instead of 'mother and father'. Both are very common.