How to Say “Daddy” in Twi

By Kate Heather • Updated September 30, 2026

Papa

The English phrase 'daddy' is translated to Twi as Papa.

Papa is an informal and affectionate way to refer to a father.

Meaning: (informal, usually childish) father (noun)

Did you know?

The word Papa is formed through reduplication of the root pa, which means 'good'.
In many Akan cultures, calling someone Papa is not limited to biological fathers but can be used as a respectful term for older male-role models.
The simplicity of Papa reflects a common linguistic pattern in many West African languages where doubling a syllable signifies closeness or intensity.

Examples in context

Papa bɛba.
Daddy will come.
M'Papa yɛ nea ɛyɛ.
My daddy is a good man.

Example conversation

Kwesi and Afia are talking about their father at home.

Kwesi

Papa abaa fie?
Has daddy come home?
Afia

Aane, ɔyɛn hɔ.
Yes, he is there.
Kwesi

Me kɔkɔsɔ Papa mpoa.
I am going to call daddy.
Afia

Kɔ, ɔbɛgye wo frɛ.
Go, he will answer you.

Sources

Word origins: Wiktionary entries papa, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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About The Author

Kate Heather

Hello there! I'm Kate, an English to Twi language enthusiast and your go-to guide for everything Twi! I just love the melodious tone of the language. From sharing the intricacies of saying "Are You Ok?" to explaining how to pronounce "Beautiful" and "Blessing" in Twi, I've got you covered! I'm an avid traveler. In my downtime, I love baking (next mission - Cake in Twi) and exploring the local literature. If you share my fascination with languages or Ghanaian culture, let's embark on this linguistic journey together! Alongside Twi, I have fallen for Ga, so I now share guides on saying everyday words in Ga too.

Kate HeatherHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.

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