pappa
[²papːa]common gender
The Swedish word for dad is pappa.
pappa is the most widely used informal term for dad in Swedish. It is a common-gender noun.
Meaning: informal: a father (noun)
Which one should you use?
While pappa is the common informal way to say 'dad', the word far is used as a more formal term for 'father'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, particularly in northern parts of Sweden, the word farfar (which typically means grandfather) is also used informally to refer to one's own father.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural for 'dads', use pappor. To indicate possession, such as 'dad's', add an -s to the end of the word to get pappas.
Did you know?
- In Swedish, the word for paternal grandfather is farfar, which literally translates to 'father-father'.
- The word pappa shares a root with the Greek παππάς, as both are based on early child-speak sounds.
- Using pappa in a formal context in Sweden can be seen as overly childish or inappropriately intimate.
Examples in context
- Du är min pappa.You're my dad.This sentence shows how to use pappa to say 'my dad'.Tatoeba #4025401 by malinef, translation #12080224 by shekitten
- Toms pappa är rik.Tom's dad is rich.This sentence demonstrates the form pappa to say 'Tom's dad'.Tatoeba #11602892 by Pineapple, translation #8658060 by Hybrid
- Jag kände din pappa.I knew your dad.This sentence uses pappa to refer to 'your dad'.Tatoeba #2043746 by herrsilen, translation #8831740 by danepo
- Hej! Det här är min far, Johan.Hello! This is my dad, Johan.
- Jag ska träffa min pappa imorgon.I'm going to meet my dad tomorrow.
- 40 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Oscar are talking at school.
- EmmaÄr din pappa hemma?Is your dad home?
- OscarJa, min pappa är hemma nu.Yes, my dad is home now.
- EmmaVad gör din pappa?What is your dad doing?
- OscarHan läser en bok.He is reading a book.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dad” translations and entries pappa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pappa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
