अम्मा
amma
To say amma in Hindi, write अम्मा (amma), an informal and affectionate word for mother.
अम्मा is a warm way to address or talk about your mother.
Which one should you use?
माँ is the more standard and widely used word for mother in Hindi. माताजी is highly respectful and formal. Ammaji shows affection and respect for your own mother or an older woman. Ammi is used in some regions of India.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
अम्मा is informal and affectionate.
Is it said differently in some regions?
अम्मा is common in certain North Indian dialects and is also used in South Indian languages like Telugu and Tamil, though it is understood throughout Hindi speaking areas.
How do you pronounce it?
It is romanized as amma.
Did you know?
- The phonetic structure of अम्मा is similar to the word for mother in dozens of unrelated languages worldwide, reflecting a global human tendency to use 'm' sounds for mothers.
- The word अम्मा shares a common ancestor with the Sanskrit word अम्बा, making it a linguistic relative of many high-register terms for mother used in ancient Indian texts.
- While अम्मा is a common way to address a mother in many Hindi-speaking regions, it is also used as a term of endearment for elderly women in general, regardless of whether they are your relative.
Examples in context
- अम्मा खाना बना रही हैं।ammā khānā banā rahī haiṃ.Mother is cooking food.
- अम्मा कहाँ हैं?ammā kahāṃ haiṃ?Where is mother?
- मेरी अम्मा बहुत अच्छी हैं।merī ammā bahut acchī haiṃ.My mother is very good.
Example conversation
At home, discussing the mother's whereabouts.
- विकास Vikasअंजलि, क्या तुमने अम्मा को देखा?anjali, kyā tumne ammā ko dekhā?Anjali, have you seen mother?
- अंजलि Anjaliनहीं विकास, वह बाहर गई हैं।nahīṃ vikās, vah bāhar gaī haiṃ.No Vikas, she has gone outside.
- विकास Vikasक्या अम्मा वापस आएँगी?kyā ammā vāpas āeṅgī?Will mother come back?
- अंजलि Anjaliहाँ, वह जल्द ही आएँगी।hāṃ, vah jald hī āeṅgī.Yes, she will come soon.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries अम्मा, CC BY-SA 4.0.
