Spanish - March 28, 2023

How To Say Parents In Spanish

Parents play an essential role in the upbringing of children. However, if you are not a native Spanish speaker, you may find yourself struggling with the language barrier when trying to communicate with Spanish-speaking parents. In this article, we will explore how to say parents in Spanish, the meaning of "parents" in Spanish, and the regional differences that may exist in the language.

Fast track your vocabulary with the 10.000 most common Spanish words!

What is "Parents" in Spanish?

The word for parents in Spanish is "padres" (IPA: /ˈpaðɾes/). This word can be used to refer to either one's own parents or the parents of others. It is a gender-neutral term, and its plural form is the same as the singular form.

4 eBooks of the Spanish Frequency Dictionaries series by MostUsedWords

Meaning of "Parents" in Spanish

In Spanish, the word "padres" can have different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Some of the possible translations and interpretations of this term include:

Biological parents: This refers to the individuals who gave birth to a child and raised them.
Legal parents: In cases where a child has been adopted, the adoptive parents are considered their legal parents.
Guardians: In situations where a child's biological or legal parents are unable to care for them, another person may be appointed as their guardian.
Ancestors: In some cultures, the term "padres" may be used to refer to one's ancestors or forefathers.

Translating "Parents" to Spanish

If you want to know how to say parents in Spanish, the answer is "padres". However, it is worth noting that different regions and dialects may use different terms for parents.

Regional Differences

As mentioned above, the term "padres" is the most common and widely used word for parents in Spanish. However, regional differences may exist, and it is essential to be aware of these if you are traveling or communicating with people from different Spanish-speaking regions. Some examples of regional differences in the use of the word "parents" include:

In some regions, such as Mexico and parts of Central America, the word "jefes" (IPA: /ˈxefes/) may be used as slang to refer to parents.
In some South American countries, such as Argentina and Uruguay, the term "progenitores" (IPA: /pɾo.xe.niˈto.ɾes/) may be used instead of "padres" to refer to biological parents.
In Spain, the word "madres" (IPA: /ˈmaðɾes/) is sometimes used as a slang term to refer to both parents, even though it technically means "mothers" in the singular form.

You can find the paperbacks on Amazon (we have frequency dictionaries for beginners, intermediates, advanced and near-fluent students), or get the eBooks directly from us here. (They are affiliate links. That means we might get a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking these links, at no extra cost to you.)