papá
/paˈpa/masculine
The Spanish word for daddy is papá. Wiktionary also lists papaíto and papito.
Meaning: (informal, usually childish) father (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| papá | /paˈpa/ | masculine |
| papaíto | /papaˈito/ | masculine |
| papito | /paˈpito/ | masculine |
This term is an informal and often childish way to refer to a father.
Which one should you use?
While papá is the standard informal way to say daddy, papito uses the diminutive suffix -ito to express endearment or to refer to a little daddy.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term papito is colloquial and can function as a term of endearment for a child or a romantic partner, rather than just a literal term for a father.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form papito uses the diminutive suffix -ito to express endearment or to refer to a 'little daddy'.
How do you pronounce it?
/paˈpa/
When do people say it?
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, papito can be used as a term of endearment for a child or even a romantic partner, rather than just a literal term for a father.
Did you know?
- Depending on the accent mark, papá means 'daddy' while papa means 'potato' or 'the Pope'. Misplacing the stress can lead to very different conversations.
- In certain Caribbean dialects, calling a man papito can be used as a friendly, colloquial way to address a stranger or an acquaintance, similar to 'buddy'.
- The word papá is a linguistic 'loanword' from the French papa, which itself entered the Spanish language after the Middle Ages.
Examples in context
- Eso no le gustará a papá.This will not please Daddy.This sentence shows how to use papá in a statement about what someone will like.Tatoeba #1721601 by marcelostockle, translation #950252 by spockofvulcan
- ¡Papá, cómprame una vuvuzela!Daddy, buy me a vuvuzela!This sentence demonstrates using papá as a direct address when making a request.Tatoeba #1994295 by Shishir, translation #405047 by brauliobezerra
- Mamá y papá están muy nerviosos.Mummy and Daddy are very nervous.This sentence shows papá used alongside the word for mother to describe a couple's state of mind.Tatoeba #858042 by Shishir, translation #32486 by Dejo
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía is asking Javier if his father is coming to the party.
- JavierSí, mi papá viene mañana.Yes, my daddy is coming tomorrow.
- Lucía¡Qué bueno! Me cae muy bien.That's great! I like him a lot.
- JavierÉl también quiere conocerte, Lucía.He wants to meet you too, Lucía.
- LucíaEntonces, dile a tu papá que hola.Then, tell your daddy hello.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “daddy” translations and entries papá, papaíto, papito, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries papaíto, papá, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
