엄마
eomma[ʌ̹mma̠]
엄마 (eomma) is the Korean word for "amma".
엄마 is an informal and affectionate term for mother used in everyday conversations. While it is the primary way children address their mothers, adults also use it when speaking to their own mothers in close, casual settings.
Which one should you use?
엄마 (eomma) is an informal and affectionate term, whereas 어머니 (eomeoni) is the more formal and standard term used in polite or official contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
엄마 is an informal term.
How do you pronounce it?
eomma
Did you know?
- In many Korean media portrayals, a grown man suddenly switching from the formal 어머니 (eomeoni) to the casual 엄마 (eomma) is a cinematic shorthand to signal that a character is having an emotional breakdown or a moment of intense vulnerability.
- The word 엄마 is a linguistic contraction that evolved from the older term 어미 (eomi) combined with the vocative particle -아 (-a), which is used to call out to someone.
- In some highly traditional households, an adult child might be expected to stop using 엄마 and transition exclusively to 어머니 upon reaching a certain age or social milestone.
Examples in context
- 어머님, 늘 건강하시고 행복하시기 바라요.Mother, I hope you're always healthy and happy.
- 엄마, 오늘 뭐 먹을까요?Mom, what should we eat today?
- 엄마, 배고파요.eom-ma, bae-go-pa-yo.Mom, I'm hungry.
- 우리 엄마는 요리를 잘해요.u-ri eom-ma-neun yo-ri-reul jal-hae-yo.My mom is good at cooking.
- 엄마, 사랑해요!eom-ma, sa-rang-hae-yo!Mom, I love you!
Example conversation
Seoyeon and Hyeonwoo are talking about their parents at home.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우, 엄마 오셨어?Hyeonwoo, eomma osyeosseo?Hyeonwoo, is mom here?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아니, 아직 안 오셨어.ani, ajik an osyeosseo.No, she is not here yet.
- 서연 Seo-yeon엄마한테 전화해 봐.eommahante jeonhwahae bwa.Try calling mom.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo지금 전화할게.jigeum jeonhwahalge.I will call her now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 엄마, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 엄마, CC BY-SA 4.0.
