How to Say “Hi Mom” in Portuguese

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oi mãe
/ˈoj ˈmɐ̃j̃/word by word
oi mãe is the Portuguese way to say hi mom.
This phrase is an informal greeting used when speaking to one's mother.

Which one should you use?

You might also use oi mamãe to express a more diminutive and affectionate feeling, similar to saying hi mommy or hi mama in English.

How does it change in a sentence?

In written Portuguese, a comma should be placed before mãe to separate the greeting from the person being addressed (the vocative), written as oi, mãe.

How do you pronounce it?

/ˈoj ˈmɐ̃j̃/

Did you know?

  • The nasal sound in mãe is a result of 'child-speech' forms of the word madre that eventually became the standard way to say 'mother'.
  • In Brazilian culture, it is common to call a woman mãe as a term of deep affection or respect, even if she is not the speaker's biological mother.

Examples in context

  • Oi mãe, como você está?
    Hi mom, how are you?
  • Oi mãe, cheguei!
    Hi mom, I'm home!
  • Oi mãe, o que tem para o jantar?
    Hi mom, what is there for dinner?

Example conversation

Gabriel arrives home and greets his mother in the kitchen.

  1. Gabriel

    Oi mãe, eu cheguei.
    Hi mom, I'm home.
  2. Camila

    Oi Gabriel, que bom que você chegou.
    Hi Gabriel, I'm glad you're here.
  3. Gabriel

    Você está cansada hoje?
    Are you tired today?
  4. Camila

    Um pouco, mas estou bem.
    A little, but I'm fine.

Sources

  • IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (oi, mãe) and can differ in connected speech.
  • Word origins: Wiktionary entries mãe, oi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Kenneth Larry
Kenneth LarryHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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