papa
Colombia, everyday
In Colombia a potato is papa. The word patata is used in Spain and sounds foreign in Colombia.
Meaning: starchy vegetable (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| papa | Colombia, everyday |
| patata | Spain |
Papa is the everyday word in Colombia and all of Latin America. Colombia grows many varieties, and papas fritas are french fries. Note that papa with a written accent, papá, means dad.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Do not mix up la papa, the potato, and el papá, the dad. The accent mark changes the meaning.
Did you know?
- Potatoes come from the Andes, and Colombia grows many varieties, including the small yellow papa criolla.
Examples in context
- Quiero sopa con papa.I want soup with potato.
- Las papas fritas están deliciosas.The french fries are delicious.
- Compré un kilo de papa.I bought a kilo of potatoes.
Example conversation
Marta cooks dinner in Bogotá with her son, Hijo.
- MartaPela las papas, por favor.Peel the potatoes, please.
- Hijo¿Cuántas necesitas?How many do you need?
- MartaUnas cinco.About five.
