buenas noches, papá
The English phrase 'good night dad' is translated into Spanish as buenas noches, papá.
The phrase buenas noches, papá is used both as a greeting when arriving somewhere at night and as a farewell when leaving or going to sleep.
Which one should you use?
The term papá is an informal and affectionate way to say 'dad', while padre is the more formal term used to say 'father'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and parts of Central America, addressing your father as viejo can be a way to convey affection.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word for 'dad', papá, requires an accent on the last 'a' to indicate that the stress is on the final syllable. Without this accent, the pronunciation and meaning change.
Did you know?
- If you omit the accent mark from papá, it becomes the word papa, which refers to the 'Pope' or the 'potato' in many Spanish-speaking regions.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, it is common to kiss a parent on the cheek while saying buenas noches, papá.
- The word papá is a linguistic relative of the French 'papa', having entered the Spanish language through Middle French influences.
Example conversation
Mateo is going to bed and talking to his father.
- MateoBuenas noches, papá.Good night, dad.
- ElenaBuenas noches, Mateo.Good night, Mateo.
- Mateo¿Mañana despertamos temprano?Are we waking up early tomorrow?
- ElenaSí, así que a dormir.Yes, so go to sleep.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries buenas, papá, CC BY-SA 4.0.
