papá
“papá” means “dad” in Spanish (Common, everyday term for father.).
dad
Also: daddy, pop
📝 In Action
Mi papá me enseñó a andar en bicicleta.
A1My dad taught me how to ride a bike.
¡Papá, mira lo que hice!
A1Dad, look what I made!
Mañana es el cumpleaños de mi papá.
A2Tomorrow is my dad's birthday.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: papá
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly says 'My dad is my hero'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'pappa', which was a child's word for 'father'. This is why so many languages have a similar-sounding word (like 'papa' in English or French). It's what's called a 'nursery word'—one of the first sounds babies make.
First recorded: Used orally for centuries, documented in writing around the 16th century.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it rude to call someone's father 'papá'?
Not at all! It's very common and friendly. When talking to a friend, you might ask, '¿Cómo está tu papá?' (How is your dad?). It's the standard, warm way to refer to a father.
What's the difference between 'papá', 'papi', and 'padre'?
'Papá' is like 'Dad'—the most common term. 'Padre' is more formal, like 'father'. 'Papi' is a more affectionate term, like 'daddy', and in some regions can also be used as a term of endearment for a male partner.