papas
/papas/from spelling rules
papas is the Spanish word for potatoes.
papas is the common name for the edible tuber of the potato plant. In some South American countries, including Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru, people commonly use the word papa to refer to potatoes.
Which one should you use?
While papas is used in the Americas, patatas is the standard term used in Spain.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Canary Islands, pataca is a regional variation used to denote potatoes.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form is papa. The plural form is papas.
How do you pronounce it?
/papas/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may confuse papa (potato) with papá (dad), which has a different stress and meaning.
Did you know?
- In some Latin American regions, papa is used as a slang term for something that is very easy. A task that is effortless might be described as está papaya or simply papa.
- The Spanish word papa is not originally Spanish but was adopted from Quechua, the language of the Inca Empire, following the conquest of the Andes.
- Peru and Bolivia boast a massive biodiversity of over 4,000 varieties of papas in colors ranging from bright yellow to deep purple.
Examples in context
- En la cena de gala se sirvieron patatas al horno.Baked potatoes were served at the gala dinner.
- Vamos a hacer papas fritas para la cena.Let's make French fries for dinner.
- ¿Quieres que hagamos patatas guisadas mañana?Do you want us to make stewed potatoes tomorrow?
- Voy a cocinar papa rellena para la cena.I'm going to cook stuffed potato for dinner.
- Me gustan las papas fritas.I like french fries.
- Necesito comprar un kilo de papas.I need to buy a kilo of potatoes.
- Las papas están muy calientes.The potatoes are very hot.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are in the kitchen preparing lunch.
- Daniel¿Compraste las papas para el guiso?Did you buy the potatoes for the stew?
- LucíaSí, las tengo en la bolsa.Yes, I have them in the bag.
- DanielPerfecto, yo las voy a pelar.Perfect, I am going to peel them.
- LucíaGracias, Daniel, eres muy amable.Thanks, Daniel, you are very kind.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
