Portuguese · People & Family
"Father" in Portuguese: pai
o pai
Father in Portuguese is o pai, a short masculine noun. Say meu pai for my father. The affectionate form papai is closer to dad, while pai stays neutral in adult conversation.
Family intro
Meu pai se chama Ricardo.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce pai
Say it
pie
/ˈpaj/
pie — like English "pie," one clear syllable.
"Father" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| o pai | father Neutral word for father. | Neutral word for father. |
| meu pai | my father Default possessive phrase. | Default possessive phrase. |
| papai | daddy, dad Affectionate form, common with children. | Affectionate form, common with children. |
| padrasto | stepfather Related family term. | Related family term. |
| sogro | father-in-law Your partner's father. | Your partner's father. |
How to use pai in real life
- 1Family intro
Meu pai se chama Ricardo.
My father's name is Ricardo.
Meu matches masculine pai.
- 2Weekend plans
No domingo eu almoço com meu pai.
On Sunday I have lunch with my father.
A common weekly family routine.
- 3Asking a friend
Seu pai ainda mora no Rio?
Does your father still live in Rio?
Seu pai is the você form of "your father."
Mistakes English speakers make with pai
Incorrect: Minha pai é alto.
Correct: Meu pai é alto.
Pai is masculine, so use meu, not minha.
Incorrect: Meu padre é engraçado.
Correct: Meu pai é engraçado.
Padre is Spanish for father / priest. Portuguese family word is pai.
Good to know
Father's Day in Brazil, Dia dos Pais, is celebrated in August. Adult children usually say meu pai in stories, and switch to papai mainly for warmth or when talking to little kids.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Meeting a friend's parent at a barbecue
ChatPal
Esse é o meu pai, o Carlos. Pai, esse é o Sam.
This is my father, Carlos. Dad, this is Sam.
You
Prazer, senhor. Seu pai fala muito de você.
Nice to meet you, sir. Your son talks about you a lot.
ChatPal
Ele exagera! Meu pai faz o melhor churrasco da rua.
He's exaggerating! My father makes the best barbecue on the street.
You
Então eu vim no dia certo. Obrigado, pai do meu amigo!
Then I came on the right day. Thank you, my friend's dad!
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Father" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Father" in Portuguese
How do I say my father?
Meu pai. For your father with você, say seu pai.
When do people use papai?
As a warm dad form, especially with children. Adults telling stories usually stick to pai.
What is the plural of pai?
Pais, which can mean fathers or parents, depending on context.
How do I say stepfather?
Padrasto. Stepmother is madrasta.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
