papa
/pa.pa/masculine
The French word for "pa" is papa.
papa is used as an informal or affectionate term for dad or daddy. It is used by children, but also by adults when speaking to or about their fathers in an informal way.
Meaning: father (noun)
Which one should you use?
While papa is the affectionate, childish or informal term for 'dad', 'père' is the standard, more formal term for 'father'.
How do you pronounce it?
/pa.pa/
Did you know?
- The term pater familias from Latin is the formal ancestor of père, but papa bypassed this formal structure by emerging from baby talk.
- While papa is used for fathers, the term papi or papy is the standard affectionate term for a grandfather.
- In French literature, a character might use papa to signal a regression to childhood or a moment of extreme vulnerability.
Examples in context
- Salut, papa! Tu viens jouer au foot avec moi?Hi, dad! Will you come play soccer with me?
- Je t'aime, papounet!I love you, Daddy!
- Ce livre appartient à papounet.This book belongs to Daddy.
- Mon papa est très gentil.My daddy is very kind.
- J'ai acheté un cadeau pour mon papa.I bought a gift for my daddy.
- Papa, tu peux m'aider ?Daddy, can you help me?
Example conversation
Two siblings are talking about their father in the living room.
- ChloéEst-ce que papa est rentré ?Is daddy home yet?
- GabrielNon, il n'est pas encore là.No, he is not here yet.
- ChloéPapa arrive toujours en retard.Daddy always arrives late.
- GabrielMais il ramène des bonbons !But he brings candies!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pa” translations and entries papa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
