pañales
/paɲales/from spelling rules
The English phrase "diapers" is translated into Spanish as pañales.
If you want to be more specific, you can use the phrase pañales desechables for disposable diapers or pañales de tela for cloth diapers.
What does it mean word for word?
The singular form pañal is derived from the same root as pañuelo, which means a small cloth or handkerchief.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
You may encounter pañalitos, which is an informal and affectionate way to say "diapers".
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the word is pañal and the plural form is pañales.
How do you pronounce it?
/paɲales/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking households, rather than asking for pañales, parents might use the verb ensuciar, meaning 'to dirty', to describe the act of a baby needing a change.
- While pañales is the standard term, in some regions of Latin America, people may use the brand name Pampers as a generic term for any brand of diaper.
- The diminutive form pañalitos is not just used for size, but serves as a linguistic tool to make the concept of 'messy diapers' sound less unpleasant or 'gross' to the listener.
Examples in context
- Necesito pañales para mi bebé.I need diapers for my baby.This sentence is useful for expressing a need for pañales for a baby.Tatoeba #10696430 by Shishir, translation #10697388 by pndyjack
- Juan tiene que cambiar los pañales al bebé todos los días.John has to change the baby's diapers every day.This sentence is useful for describing the daily task of changing the pañales for a baby.Tatoeba #9412511 by ignacio, translation #9417980 by DJ_Saidez
- Hola, ¿dónde puedo encontrar los pañales?Hello, where can I find the diapers?
- Los pañales están en el pasillo 3, al final a la derecha.The diapers are in aisle 3, at the end to the right.
- Necesito comprar pañales para mi bebé.I need to buy diapers for my baby.
- ¡Cuidado, el bebé necesita que le cambien el pañal!Careful, the baby needs a diaper change!
- Los pañales desechables son muy prácticos.Disposable diapers are very convenient.
- ¿Tienes pañalitos extra por si acaso?Do you have extra diapers just in case?
- Compré un paquete de pañales nuevos.I bought a pack of new diapers.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are at the supermarket.
- Alejandro¿Dónde están los pañales, Elena?Where are the diapers, Elena?
- ElenaEstán en el pasillo de bebés.They are in the baby aisle.
- AlejandroVale, voy a buscarlos ahora.Okay, I will go look for them now.
- ElenaNo olvides las toallitas también.Don't forget the wipes too.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
