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"Padres" is a plural noun which is often translated as "parents", and "progenitores" is a plural noun which is also often translated as "parents". Learn more about the difference between "padres" and "progenitores" below.
los padres(
pah
-
drehs
)A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
1. (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.
el padre
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
2. (relative)
a. father
Mi padre y mi madre nacieron ambos en 1960.My father and my mother were both born in 1960.
3. (religious)
An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
5. (very big)
6. (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!).
7. (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 progenitores(
proh
-
heh
-
nee
-
toh
-
rehs
)A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
1. (literary) (mother and father)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
a. parents
Los progenitores dejaron al bebé abandonado en la puerta de la iglesia.The parents abandoned their baby on the church doorstep.
el progenitor, la progenitora
This means that the noun can be masculine or feminine, depending on the gender of the noun it refers to (e.g., el doctor, la doctora).
2. (literary) (parent)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
a. father (masculine)
El progenitor del niño no tiene ciudadanía europea.The father of the child doesn't have European citizenship.
b. mother (feminine)
La recién nacida lleva el mismo nombre que su progenitora.The newborn baby has been named after her mother.
3. (literary) (forebear)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
a. ancestor
El rey nunca iba a ceder el reino creado por sus progenitores.The king would never relinquish the kingdom established by his ancestors.
