papà
/paˈpa/
The English phrase "daddy" is translated into Italian as papà. Wiktionary also lists babbo.
Meaning: (informal, usually childish) father (noun)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| papà | /paˈpa/ |
| babbo | /ˈbab.bo/ |
Both papà and babbo are used as informal, affectionate terms to address or refer to one's father.
Which one should you use?
papà is the standard way to say "daddy" or "dad" across Italy. In contrast, the formal term for "father" is padre, which is used in official or serious contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Sicilian dialect, the word tatà is used instead of papà to mean "daddy".
How do you pronounce it?
/paˈpa/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to omit the stress on the final syllable. If you say papa without the stress, you are saying "the Pope" instead of "daddy".
Did you know?
- The word babbo is also used to call Santa Claus, who is known in Italy as Babbo Natale.
- The word babbo shares an unusual connection with the Italian word babbeo, which describes a silly or foolish person.
- While papà is the standard term used throughout Italy, the word babbo is a specific regional favorite used primarily in Tuscany.
Examples in context
- Dov'è il mio papà?Where's my daddy?This sentence shows how to ask for one's daddy using papà.Tatoeba #5492024 by Guybrush88, translation #2254634 by CK
- Papà, comprami una vuvuzela!Daddy, buy me a vuvuzela!This sentence is an example of addressing one's daddy using papà.Tatoeba #3349871 by Guybrush88, translation #405047 by brauliobezerra
- Dov'è il papà?Where's Daddy?Tatoeba #13383669 by Guybrush88, translation #866504 by papabear
- Ciao, papà!Hi, daddy!
- Grazie per tutto, papàThank you for everything, daddy
- Ti voglio bene, papàI love you, daddy
- Vieni qui, babbo!Come here, daddy!
- Sono felice di vederti, babboI'm glad to see you, daddy
- Hai fatto bene, babbo!Well done, daddy!
- Mi manchi tanto, papiI miss you so much, daddy
- Sei il migliore, papiYou're the best, daddy
- Vieni qui, papiCome here, daddy
- Ti abbraccio forte, pappaI hug you tight, daddy
Example conversation
Lorenzo is telling his sister that their father has arrived home.
- LorenzoGuarda, Martina, papà è arrivato!Look, Martina, daddy is here!
- MartinaDavvero? Che bello!Really? That's great!
- LorenzoCorriamo subito a salutarlo.Let's run and greet him right now.
- MartinaSì, vado a prendere papà!Yes, I'm going to get daddy!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “daddy” translations and entries papà, babbo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries babbo, papà, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
