papi
affectionate, Puerto Rico
Daddy in Puerto Rico is papi. A tender version is papito, and papá is the neutral word.
Meaning: affectionate word for father (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| papi | affectionate, Puerto Rico |
| papito | very affectionate |
| papá | standard |
Small children say papi to call their father and many keep using it as adults.
Which one should you use?
Papi can also be used as a flirty or friendly address to a man who is not a father, so context matters. For family it is simply affectionate.
Did you know?
- The ending -ito makes Spanish words smaller and more affectionate, which is why papito sounds tender.
Examples in context
- Papi, ven a jugar conmigo.Daddy, come play with me.
- Papito, te quiero mucho.Daddy, I love you very much.
- Mi papi me llevó a la playa.My daddy took me to the beach.
Example conversation
Little Valentina asks her father Papi Raúl to read her a story at their home in Mayagüez.
- ValentinaPapi, ¿me lees un cuento?Daddy, will you read me a story?
- Papi RaúlClaro que sí, mi amor.Of course, my love.
- ValentinaTe quiero, papito.I love you, daddy.
