papa
neutral, Mexico
In Mexican Spanish "potato" is papa. Spain uses patata, but in Mexico and the rest of Latin America the word is papa. It is also called papas fritas.
Meaning: starchy vegetable (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| papa | neutral, Mexico |
| papas fritas | fries or chips |
Fries are papas a la francesa or papas fritas. In snack bags, the word is often the diminutive papitas.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Using patata in Mexico sounds like Spain. Mexicans understand it, but papa is the normal word in shops and restaurants.
How does it change in a sentence?
Papa is feminine: la papa, unas papas. Note that el papa with the masculine article means the Pope.
Did you know?
- The potato is native to the Andes, and the word papa comes from the Quechua language.
Examples in context
- Quiero papas a la francesa.I want french fries.
- Compré un kilo de papas.I bought a kilo of potatoes.
- Las papitas están en la alacena.The chips are in the pantry.
Example conversation
Eva buys groceries with her husband Tomás at a supermarket in Saltillo.
- EvaTomás, necesitamos papas para el caldo.Tomás, we need potatoes for the broth.
- Tomás¿Cuántas llevo?How many should I take?
- EvaUn kilo está bien.A kilo is fine.
