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"Padre" is a noun which is often translated as "father", and "madre" is a noun which is often translated as "mother". Learn more about the difference between "padre" and "madre" below.
el padre(
pah
-
dreh
)A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
1. (relative)
a. father
Mi padre y mi madre nacieron ambos en 1960.My father and my mother were both born in 1960.
2. (religious)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
4. (very big)
5. (colloquial) (extremely good) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. great (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
La película estuvo muy padre.The movie was really great.
b. cool (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Esa camiseta es muy padre. ¿Te costó muy cara?That T-shirt is really cool. Was it very expensive?
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
6. (colloquial) (used to express approval) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. great (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¿Hiciste pastel de chocolate de postre? ¡Padre!Did you make chocolate cake for dessert? Great!
b. cool (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Acabé lo que tenía que hacer y puedo ir contigo al cine. - ¡Padre!I finished what I had to do and can go with you to the movies. - Cool!
c. nice
Hace un tiempo estupendo y me baño todos los días en el mar. - ¡Padre! ¡Qué envidia!The weather is great and I swim in the sea every day. - Nice! I'm so jealous!
los padres
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
7. (relatives)
a. parents
Mis padres acaban de cumplir su aniversario de 30 años.My parents just celebrated their 30th anniversary.
b. mother and father
Mis padres se conocieron en la universidad.My mother and father met in college.
c. mom and dad (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
Este domingo voy a casa de mis padres.I'm going to my mom and dad's this Sunday.
d. mum and dad (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Todavía vivo con mis padres.I still live with my mum and dad.
la madre(
mah
-
dreh
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (relative)
a. mother
Mi madre prepara la comida más rica del mundo.My mother makes the world's most delicious food.
a. mother
La madre Gabriela dio una charla sobre el amor verdadero.Mother Gabriela gave a talk about true love.
3. (cradle)
a. mother
Los esfuerzos de los desplazados de la guerra nos demuestran como la necesidad es la madre de la invención.The efforts of those displaced by the war demonstrate how necessity is the mother of invention.
a. bed
La madre se hizo más profunda con las fuertes lluvias.The bed was deepened by the heavy rain.
5. (colloquial) (object) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
las madres
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
6. (colloquial) (vulgar) (action) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
A word or phrase that is crude, indecent, and generally rejected by society.
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. stuff
Hicimos un montón de madres para intentar arreglar el carro.We did a whole bunch of stuff to try to fix the car.
