vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Papa" is a noun which is often translated as "potato", and "patata" is a noun which is also often translated as "potato". Learn more about the difference between "papa" and "patata" below.
la papa(
pah
-
pah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (culinary) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
2. (vegetable) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. potato
Mi tío plantó dos terrenos de papas para la cosecha de este año.My uncle sowed two lots of potatoes for this year's harvest.
3. (colloquial) (lie) (Chile) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Chile
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. fib
Dime dónde estuviste ayer y no me cuentes otra papa.Tell me where were you yesterday and don't tell me another fib.
A masculine noun is used with masculine articles and adjectives (e.g., el hombre guapo, el sol amarillo).
4. (religious)
a. pope
El Papa Francisco es uno de los papas más liberales en la historia de la Iglesia católica.Pope Francis is one of the most liberal Popes in the history of the Catholic Church.
la patata(
pah
-
tah
-
tah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
a. potato
Estoy horneando patatas, zanahorias y zapallos para la cena.I'm baking potatoes, carrots, and pumpkins for dinner.
