Inklingo
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papi

/PAH-pee/

Daddy

A young, smiling child standing next to a tall adult man, holding his hand affectionately.

Papi can mean 'Daddy,' often used by children to address their father.

papi(Noun)

mA1

Daddy

?

Used by children

Also:

Dad

?

Affectionate diminutive

📝 In Action

¡Papi, mira mi dibujo! ¿Te gusta?

A1

Daddy, look at my drawing! Do you like it?

Mi papi me va a llevar al parque este sábado.

A1

My dad is going to take me to the park this Saturday.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • llamar a papi – to call Daddy

💡 Grammar Points

The Affectionate '-i' Ending

In this case, 'papi' is a shortened, affectionate form of 'papito' (the full diminutive of 'papá'). Spanish uses these endings to express warmth or closeness.

A romantic couple holding hands and gazing at each other lovingly in a soft setting.

Papi is used as an affectionate term, similar to 'Babe,' when addressing a male partner.

papi(Noun)

mA2

Babe

?

Affectionate address for a male partner

Also:

Honey

?

Sweetheart

📝 In Action

¿A dónde quieres ir de vacaciones, papi?

A2

Where do you want to go on vacation, babe?

Te preparé café, papi. Está en la mesa.

A2

I made you coffee, honey. It's on the table.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • amor (love)
  • cariño (dear)

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'Papi' with Strangers (Non-Slang)

Mistake: "Using 'papi' to refer to a male acquaintance or boss."

Correction: Reserve 'papi' for very close family (dad/son) or romantic partners. Use 'señor' or 'jefe' for formality.

A person giving an admiring, flattering look towards an attractive, well-dressed man who is smiling confidently.

When flirting, papi can be used to call an attractive man 'Handsome.'

papi(Noun)

mB2

Handsome

?

Used to flirt with an attractive man

Also:

Hottie

?

Suggestive slang

📝 In Action

¡Esa canción tiene ritmo! Muévete, papi.

B2

That song has rhythm! Move it, handsome.

Mira qué carro trae ese papi.

C1

Look what car that hot guy is driving.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • macho (manly man)
  • galán (ladies' man)

⭐ Usage Tips

Usage Warning

This meaning is highly informal and often carries a strong connotation of flirting, especially when used by a woman toward a man she doesn't know. Use caution depending on the social setting.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: papi

Question 1 of 2

In which scenario would 'papi' most likely translate to 'babe' or 'honey'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

papá(dad) - noun
mami(mommy/babe) - noun
padre(father) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'papá' and 'papi'?

Both mean 'dad,' but 'papá' is the standard, neutral word. 'Papi' is more affectionate, intimate, or childlike (like 'Daddy'). In modern slang, 'papi' has taken on additional meanings as a romantic pet name or a flirtatious compliment for an attractive man.

Is 'papi' gender specific?

Yes, 'papi' is exclusively used for males. The female equivalent for 'mommy' or 'babe' (when addressing a woman) is 'mami'.