papá
/pa-PA/
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
The Plural 'papás' Can Mean 'Parents'
In Spanish, the plural form 'los papás' can mean 'the dads,' but it's very often used to mean 'the parents' (mom and dad). For example, 'Mis papás viven en México' means 'My parents live in Mexico.'
Always Masculine
Even though it ends in '-á', 'papá' is a masculine word. Always use 'el papá' for 'the dad' and 'un papá' for 'a dad'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
The Accent is Important!
Mistake: "La papa es alta."
Correction: El papá es alto. Without the accent mark (´), 'papa' means 'potato' (or 'Pope'). The accent tells you to stress the last syllable, changing the meaning to 'dad'.
⭐ Usage Tips
'Papá' vs. 'Padre'
'Papá' is what you'd typically call your dad, just like 'Dad' in English. 'Padre' is more formal, like 'father', and is often used on official documents or when speaking more formally.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: papá
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly says 'My dad is my hero'?
📚 More Resources
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.