papà
papà is the Sicilian word for dad.
Meaning: informal: a father (noun)
Which one should you use?
While papà is the informal term for a father, Padre is the formal way to say father.
Did you know?
- The term babbu is a linguistic cousin to the Spanish word papá and the Arabic baba, reflecting Sicily's history of diverse Mediterranean conquests.
- In some Sicilian dialects, you might hear pappà or papà used as a term of endearment for a grandfather rather than a father.
- Unlike English where 'dad' is almost exclusively a noun, in some Sicilian dialects, variations of the sound can be used as a repetitive nursery sound to soothe babies.
Examples in context
- Mi manchi tanto, patri mio.I miss you so much, my dear father.
- Mio papà è un uomo bonu.My dad is a good man.
- Chistu è u me papà.This is my dad.
- Parlai cu u me papà.I spoke with my dad.
Example conversation
Agata is asking Salvatore about his father.
- AgataUndu è u to papà?Where is your dad?
- SalvatoreMio papà è ô travagghiu.My dad is at work.
- AgataTornu a casa a chi ora?What time does he come home?
- SalvatoreTornu a casa a si sei.He comes home at six.
