Buenos días, mamá
The English phrase 'good morning mum' is translated into Spanish as Buenos días, mamá.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using madre instead of mamá makes the greeting sound more formal or distant, such as in Buenos días, madre.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking households, instead of a verbal 'good morning', a child might simply approach their mother and give her a 'besito', or a small kiss on the cheek, as a standard morning greeting.
- The phrase 'Buenos días' literally translates to 'Good days', which is plural, rather than the singular 'Good day' used in English.
- The word 'mamá' shares a linguistic origin with the French 'maman', both of which likely derive from the rhythmic sounds babies make when attempting to speak.
Examples in context
- Buenos días, mamá, ¿cómo estás?Good morning, mum, how are you?
- Buenos días, mamá, tengo mucho sueño.Good morning, mum, I am very sleepy.
- ¡Buenos días, mamá! ¿Ya hiciste el café?Good morning, mum! Have you made the coffee yet?
Example conversation
Javier enters the kitchen where his mother is making coffee.
- MaríaBuenos días, mamá.Good morning, mum.
- JavierHola, Javier. ¿Dormiste bien?Hello, Javier. Did you sleep well?
- MaríaSí, muy bien. Gracias.Yes, very well. Thanks.
- JavierQué bueno. Desayuna ahora.That's good. Have breakfast now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mamá, CC BY-SA 4.0.