Spanish · Food & Drink
"Potato" in Spanish: papa
la papa
Note: ES: la patata
A potato is la papa (PAH-pah) in Latin America. It is feminine: una papa, las papas. Spain says la patata for the same papa.
Ordering a side
Una orden de papas fritas.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce papa
Say it
PAH-pah
/ˈpa.pa/
PAH-pah. Stress the first PAH. Both vowels are open a sounds. Do not say English "pop-uh."
"Potato" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| la papa | potato (Latin America) Default across most of the Americas. | Default across most of the Americas. |
| la patata | potato (Spain) Castilian Spanish word for the same food. | Castilian Spanish word for the same food. |
| las papas fritas | French fries Latin American menu staple; Spain says patatas fritas. | Latin American menu staple; Spain says patatas fritas. |
| el puré de papa | mashed potato Side dish language. | Side dish language. |
How to use papa in real life
- 1Ordering a side
Una orden de papas fritas.
An order of French fries.
Papas fritas is the Latin American fries phrase.
- 2At the market
Necesito un kilo de papa.
I need a kilo of potato.
Papa can be mass-like when sold by weight.
- 3Cooking at home
Hierve las papas con sal.
Boil the potatoes with salt.
Simple kitchen instruction.
Mistakes English speakers make with papa
Incorrect: El papa está caliente.
Correct: La papa está caliente.
Food papa is feminine. El papa means the pope (or dad in some regions).
Incorrect: En México pedí patatas fritas.
Correct: En México pedí papas fritas.
Say papas in Latin America. Patatas is the Spain form.
Good to know
Andean farming made papa a daily staple long before European contact, and the word papa is Quechua in origin. On Latin American menus, papas fritas are fries; in Spain you will read patatas fritas instead. Same crunchy side, different noun.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Ordering fries with lunch
ChatPal
¿Quieres papas fritas o ensalada?
Do you want fries or salad?
You
Papas fritas, por favor.
Fries, please.
ChatPal
Las papas van con ketchup.
The fries come with ketchup.
You
Sí, así está bien.
Yes, that's fine.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Potato" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Potato" in Spanish
Is papa masculine or feminine?
The food is feminine: la papa. El papa is the pope.
When do I say patata?
In Spain. In Latin America use papa.
How do you say French fries?
Papas fritas in Latin America. Patatas fritas in Spain.
How do you pronounce papa?
PAH-pah with stress on the first syllable.
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
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