patito
/paˈtito/
The English phrase "ducky" is translated into Spanish as patito.
In an informal context, patito can be used as a term of endearment for children or loved ones.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of patito is patitos.
How do you pronounce it?
/paˈtito/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, calling a person a pato is a slang way to say they are 'gay', which is a very different connotation than the cute English 'ducky'.
- In Mexican slang, a patito is sometimes used to refer to a 'fake' or 'cheap' imitation of a product.
- While patito is a cute term, the word pato is used in the idiom pagar el pato, which means to take the blame for something you did not do.
Examples in context
- El niño jugaba con su patito de goma en la bañera.The child was playing with his rubber duck in the bathtub.
- Ven aquí, mi patito. Mamá tiene un regalo para ti.Come here, my ducky. Mommy has a gift for you.
- El patito es de color amarillo.The ducky is yellow.
- Me gusta mucho este patito de goma.I really like this rubber ducky.
- El patito está nadando en el agua.The ducky is swimming in the water.
Example conversation
Lucía is playing with a toy in the bathtub.
- Alejandro¿Dónde está tu patito, Lucía?Where is your ducky, Lucía?
- LucíaEstá aquí, flotando en la tina.It is here, floating in the tub.
- AlejandroEs un patito muy bonito.It is a very pretty ducky.
- LucíaSí, es mi favorito.Yes, it is my favorite.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry patito, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
