Vati

See also: vati and vāti

German

Etymology

Vater +‎ -i

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈfaːti/

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

Vati m (strong, genitive Vatis, plural Vatis)

1. dad

   Synonym: Papa

Usage notes

• The word is commonly used with a definite article in most parts of central Germany, southern Germany, and Austria: Wo ist der Vati? – "Where is Dad?" In northern Germany—and generally in writing—no article tends to be used: Wo ist Vati?
• The genitive Vatis is used before the modified term, without any article or determiner: Vatis Tasche – “Dad’s bag”. This is chiefly northern German usage; the rest of the language prefers: die Tasche vom Vati (as above). — The genitive can also be used with an accompanying article or determiner: die Tasche meines Vatis or meines Vaters Tasche – “my dad’s bag". This, however, is not common usage in any region; children will say instead: die Tasche von meinem Vati.

Further reading

• “Vati” in Duden online
• “Vati” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache