How to Say "daddy" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “daddy” is “papi” — use 'papi' when a young child is directly addressing their father in an affectionate way, similar to how an English-speaking child might say 'daddy'..
English → Spanish
papi
PAH-pee/ˈpa.pi/
NounA1Informal
Use 'papi' when a young child is directly addressing their father in an affectionate way, similar to how an English-speaking child might say 'daddy'.
Examples
¡Papi, mira mi dibujo! ¿Te gusta?
Daddy, look at my drawing! Do you like it?
Mi papi me va a llevar al parque este sábado.
My dad is going to take me to the park this Saturday.
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.
NounA1Informal
Use 'papá' as a more general, affectionate term for 'dad' or 'father', often used by children when referring to their father, but also common among adults referring to their dads.
Examples
Mi papá me enseñó a andar en bicicleta.
My dad taught me how to ride a bike.
Papi vs. Papá Usage
The main confusion for learners is when to use 'papi' versus 'papá'. While both are affectionate, 'papi' is generally reserved for direct address by young children, sounding very much like 'daddy'. 'Papá' is more versatile and can be used when referring to one's father in general, or by children of various ages.
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