papa vs patata?

Question

Since my mother moved to Spain I've been gradually building my vocabulary and am now taking steps to learn the language more comprehensively.. I've noticed in one of the early lessons that potato is transated as 'la papa', I always thought it was 'la patata' (as in 'patatas fritas'). I'm just wondering what the difference between the words is? is papa just a contraction of patata? Is it a case of American vs. Peninsular?

Answer 1

See, I always thought it was because the Quechua word "papa" was considered offensive to the pope (el papa), and so when Latin America began using "papa" like the natives, Spain never caught on.

I like your way of thinking. - Yeser007, Dec 25, 2011

This is what I heard in Spain. In Latin America, they are more likely to still use la papa, because that was always their word for it. - JoyceM, Dec 26, 2011

Answer 2

Patata is generally peninsular Spanish, while papa is American Spanish.

They also use the word "papas" in South America. My parents had a delicious dish called "papas fritas" when they were there. - kids1busymom, Oct 7, 2013

Answer 3

"papa" in the Canary islands and southern Spain.Are differents ways to call things, but is not a contraccion.

Answer 4

In Barcelona (assuming they weren't speaking in Catalan!) and Madrid everyone said "patata."

Answer 5

Yes, in the Canaries, the national dish there is "papa arruga'", delicious potatoes, which are wrinkled up with salt.

The rest of Spain uses patata.

Answer 6

It may be more confusing than that, as while travelling throughout Spain I have heard both terms being used for various applications! On one occasion both terms showed up on the same menu... But I agree that 'patata' is the word that is used primarily in Spain for potatoe.

Just be aware that there are regional variations for many words/things and you will be fine no matter which you hear!!

Answer 7

I have also heard of the word "papas" used in Chile. My parents traveled there and returned with stories of the most wonderful potatoes called, "papas fritas" it was quite a delicacy then.

'papas fritas' means fried potatoes... so, French fries, basically. That's not what most would call a 'delicacy', but I'm sure it was very tasty, all the same. - bluesocks, Jul 27, 2014