der Papa
dad, daddy
Papa is the common, affectionate word for 'dad' or 'daddy' in German. It is used mainly by children and within families, but adults also use it when talking about their own father in a warm, familiar way.
Heard in real German videos
Lines where Papa was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.
- Papa, bist du in Ordnung?Dad, are you okay?
- Alles klar, Papa. Dann mal los.All right, Dad. Then let's go.
Example sentences
- Mein Papa kocht am Wochenende immer Pfannkuchen.My dad always makes pancakes on the weekend.
- Papa, kannst du mir bei den Hausaufgaben helfen?Dad, can you help me with my homework?
- Ich habe meinem Papa ein Bild gemalt.I painted a picture for my dad.
- Sein Papa holt ihn vom Kindergarten ab.His dad picks him up from kindergarten.
Grammar
| Gender | masculine |
|---|---|
| Plural | die Papas |
| Genitive | des Papas |
| Declension | adds -s in genitive singular and -s in plural |
Papa is a masculine noun, but it is often used without an article when addressing your own father directly, e.g. 'Papa, kommst du?'
Common phrases
- Papa werdento become a dad
- Papa seinto be a dad
The mistake English speakers make
English speakers sometimes use 'Papa' for any father, but in German it is informal and mainly used within the family. In formal contexts, use 'der Vater'.
Don’t confuse it with
- der Vater — Vater is the neutral, formal word for father, while Papa is the affectionate, informal term used mainly by children or in family settings.
Questions learners ask
Is Papa masculine, feminine, or neuter?
Papa is masculine, so it takes 'der' as the definite article: der Papa.
What is the plural of Papa?
The plural is 'die Papas'. Example: 'Die Papas spielen mit den Kindern.'
When do you use Papa instead of Vater?
Use Papa in informal, affectionate contexts, especially when speaking to or about your own father in a familiar way. Vater is more formal and neutral.