Spanish · People & Family
"Father" in Spanish: padre
el padre
Father in Spanish is el padre. It is masculine. Padre is a bit more formal than papá. Say mi padre for my father.
How to pronounce padre: audio and sound guideTalking about work
Mi padre trabaja en un hospital.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce padre
Say it
PAH-dreh
/ˈpaðɾe/
PAH-dreh. Stress pah. Soft d between vowels, like madre.
"Father" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| el padre | father Neutral or slightly formal word. | Neutral or slightly formal word. |
| mi padre | my father Common in introductions and stories. | Common in introductions and stories. |
| padre soltero | single father A set phrase for a dad raising kids alone. | A set phrase for a dad raising kids alone. |
| suegro | father-in-law Your partner's father. | Your partner's father. |
How to use padre in real life
- 1Talking about work
Mi padre trabaja en un hospital.
My father works in a hospital.
Mi padre is clear and polite.
- 2At a party
¿Conoces al padre de Luis?
Do you know Luis's father?
Al padre de + name is common.
- 3Family news
Mi padre llega mañana temprano.
My father arrives early tomorrow.
Padre fits both spoken and written Spanish.
Mistakes English speakers make with padre
Incorrect: La padre es alto.
Correct: El padre es alto.
Padre is masculine. Use el padre, mi padre.
Incorrect: Voy con mi padre, ¿vosotros vienen?
Correct: Voy con mi padre, ¿ustedes vienen?
Keep padre, and prefer ustedes in Latin America.
Good to know
Good to knowPadre is more formal than papá. Día del Padre is celebrated across Latin America, with the date depending on the country.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Making weekend plans
ChatPal
¿Tu padre cocina el asado?
Does your father cook the barbecue?
You
Sí, mi padre siempre hace la carne.
Yes, my father always does the meat.
ChatPal
Qué rico. ¿A qué hora empiezan?
Yum. What time do you start?
You
A las dos. Mi padre odia esperar.
At two. My father hates waiting.
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 Spanish
Is padre masculine or feminine?
Masculine: el padre, mi padre, ese padre.
When do I use padre vs papá?
Padre is more formal; papá is warmer and everyday.
How do I say father-in-law?
Suegro. That is a different word from padre.
How do I pronounce padre?
PAH-dreh with soft d. Stress the first syllable.
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