അമ്മ
amma/ɐmmɐ/
അമ്മ (amma) is the Malayalam word for mother.
അമ്മ is used to address or refer to one's mother.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Ammachi is an informal term used in certain regions of Kerala to say mother.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is amma. The IPA is /ɐmmɐ/.
When do people say it?
In many parts of Kerala, അമ്മ is used not just for biological mothers, but can be used as a respectful way to address elderly women in a maternal or nurturing role.
Did you know?
- While അമ്മ is the standard term, in some way of speaking in Kerala, calling a woman അമ്മ can be a way to instantly diffuse a tense situation by appealing to a sense of familial respect.
- While അമ്മ is the standard term, the variation അമ്മച്ചി (ammachi) is specifically associated with the Syrian Christian community of Kerala.
- In Kerala, അമ്മ is often used as a title for the Divine Mother or goddesses in Hindu temples and prayers.
Examples in context
- അമ്മ എവിടെയാണ്?amma evideyaanu?Where is amma?
- അമ്മ എനിക്ക് പാൽ തന്നു.amma enikku paal thannu.Amma gave me milk.
- അമ്മയെ വിളിക്കൂ.ammaye vilikkoo.Call amma.
Example conversation
Rahul is talking to Lakshmi about his mother.
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiനിന്റെ അമ്മ എവിടെയാണ്?Ninte amma evideyanu?Where is your mother?
- രാഹുൽ Rahulഅമ്മ കടയിൽ പോയി.Amma kadayil poyi.Mother went to the shop.
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiഎപ്പോഴാണ് വരിക?Eppozhanu varika?When will she come?
- രാഹുൽ Rahulഅമ്മ ഉടനെ വരും.Amma udane varum.Mother will come soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry അമ്മ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
