pañales

pa-NYAH-les

diapers?US English,nappies?UK English

Also:early stages?figurative use when something is just beginning

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Necesito comprar una caja de pañales para el bebé.

I need to buy a box of diapers for the baby.

Mi hijo ya no usa pañales; ahora usa el baño.

My son doesn't wear diapers anymore; he uses the toilet now.

El negocio todavía está en pañales, pero tiene futuro.

The business is still in its infancy (early stages), but it has a future.

The singular form is 'pañal.' Because it ends in a consonant, you add '-es' to make it plural.

This is a masculine naming word. Use 'el' for one (el pañal) and 'los' for many (los pañales).

Mistake: "Using 'pañales' when you want to blow your nose."

Correction: Use 'pañuelos' for tissues/handkerchiefs and 'pañales' for what a baby wears.

When you say a project is 'en pañales,' you're telling people it's brand new and not yet fully developed, just like a newborn baby.

Question 1 of 2

If someone says their new app is 'en pañales,' what do they mean?

pañal(diaper (singular)) - noun

pañalera(diaper bag) - noun

paño(cloth/rag) - noun

Can 'pañales' be used for adults too?

Yes! While usually associated with babies, it is also the term used for adult absorbent products (pañales para adultos).

Is there a difference between 'pañales' and 'nappies'?

No, they are the same thing. 'Diaper' is the standard American term, and 'nappy' is the standard British term; 'pañales' covers both.