Paterno vs. paternal

'Paterno' and 'paternal' are Spanish adjectives that relate to a father or fatherhood. Although they might seem synonymous, they are used in different contexts within the Spanish language. Understanding the nuances and the appropriate usage of each can help in mastering the language and its subtleties.

Paterno

'Paterno' is a Spanish adjective that refers specifically to 'fatherly' in the sense of directly relating to one's own father or paternal ancestors.
El apellido paterno de María es González.
(Maria's paternal surname is Gonzalez.)
La herencia genética paterna influye en varias características de los hijos.
(The genetic inheritance from the paternal side influences various characteristics of the children.)
La casa ha estado en la familia desde los tiempos de su bisabuelo paterno.
(The house has been in the family since the times of his great-grandfather on his father's side.)

Paternal

'Paternal' describes attributes or behavior resembling a father's, often expressing care, protection, or guidance; not necessarily related to one’s own father, but to father figures or general fatherly qualities.
Su actitud paternal hacía sus empleados era muy apreciada y respetada.
(His paternal attitude towards his employees was highly appreciated and respected.)
Las figuras paternales son importantes en el desarrollo emocional de los niños.
(Paternal figures are important in children's emotional development.)
El consejo paternal que recibí me ayudó a tomar mejores decisiones en mi vida.
(The paternal advice I received helped me make better decisions in my life.)

Summary

While both 'paterno' and 'paternal' refer to concepts related to fathers, 'paterno' is typically used when referring to direct lineage, such as paternal ancestors or paternal surnames. On the other hand, 'paternal' conveys fatherly qualities or actions, often related to guidance, care and protection, without necessarily being related by blood, as it can apply to any male figure who embodies these qualities for someone else.