ママ、こんにちは
The English phrase "hello mommy" is translated into Japanese as ママ、こんにちは.
While ママ is an informal term meaning mommy or mama, the word Okaasan is a polite way to say mother or mom in Japanese.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase ママ、こんにちは is informal and typically used by young children. In contrast, Okaasan serves as a more polite way to address a mother.
Did you know?
- The term ママ is also used in Japan to refer to the female owner or manager of a 'snack bar', a type of small neighborhood drinking establishment.
- In some Japanese households, children do not use a name or title at all when speaking to their mother, relying instead on context and tone.
- The greeting konnichiwa used in this phrase is actually a shortened version of a much longer, formal greeting that once meant 'today is…'. It has evolved from a complete sentence into a standard hello.
Example conversation
A young boy sees his mother in the living room.
- 蓮 Renママ、こんにちは！Mama, konnichiwa!Hello mommy!
- 美咲 Misakiこんにちは、蓮。おかえりなさい。Konnichiwa, Ren. Okaerinasai.Hello, Ren. Welcome home.
- 蓮 Renおやつはある？Oyatsu wa aru?Are there any snacks?
- 美咲 Misakiええ、あるわよ。Ee, aru wa yo.Yes, there are.
