pañal
/paˈɲal/
The Spanish word for nappy is pañal.
pañal refers to an absorbent garment worn by a baby instead of underwear. To describe the act of changing a baby's nappy, use the verb cambiar with the phrase cambiar el pañal. You can specify the type of nappy by adding descriptors: pañal desechable for a disposable nappy and pañal de tela for a cloth nappy.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the term Pampers is used as a synonym for nappies.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of pañal is pañales.
How do you pronounce it?
/paˈɲal/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the word pañal can also be used in the expression estar en pañales, which describes someone who is a complete beginner at a skill.
- In some Latin American cultures, there is a tradition of placing a small charm or a red ribbon on a baby's pañal to protect them from the 'evil eye'.
- Spanish has a specialized medical term for diaper rash called pañalitis, which blends the word pañal with the suffix for inflammation.
Examples in context
- He cambiado el pañal al bebé.I changed the baby's nappy.This sentence is useful for showing how to use pañal when changing a baby.Tatoeba #2665182 by cueyayotl, translation #2659530 by sundown
- Tengo que cambiar el pañal del bebé.I have to change the baby's nappy.This sentence is useful for expressing the necessity of using pañal for a baby.Tatoeba #2429176 by MethodGT, translation #2428904 by anjin
- María cambió el pañal de su bebé antes de salir.Maria changed her baby's nappy before going out.
- No olvides llevar los pañalitos.Don't forget to bring the nappies.
- Necesito comprar un paquete de pañales.I need to buy a pack of nappies.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are at home preparing for the baby's arrival.
- Lucía¿Dónde dejaste el pañal limpio?Where did you leave the clean nappy?
- MateoEstá en la mesa de la cocina, Lucía.It is on the kitchen table, Lucía.
- LucíaGracias, Mateo. El bebé tiene hambre.Thanks, Mateo. The baby is hungry.
- MateoYo me encargo de todo ahora.I will take care of everything now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry pañal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
