엄마
eomma[ʌ̹mma̠]
The Korean word for mama is 엄마 (eomma).
엄마 is an informal term for mama. It is primarily used by children or by adults when speaking to their mothers in a very intimate, casual setting.
Which one should you use?
While 엄마 is the informal 'mama', 어머니 is the formal and more respectful way to say 'mother'. Additionally, 어머님 is a polite and formal way to refer to someone else's mother.
How do you pronounce it?
eomma
Did you know?
- If a person uses 어머님 to refer to their own mother, it would be considered a major social mistake rather than a sign of respect.
- The word 엄마 is actually a contraction of the older word 어미 and the calling particle -아.
- Korean has a specific term 어머님 used to refer to a mother-in-law, adding a layer of honorific respect that is distinct from the biological mother.
Examples in context
- 엄마가 울었어.Mama cried.This sentence shows how to use 엄마 in a simple statement.Tatoeba #8368200 by Eunhee, translation #1447977 by CK
- 사랑해요, 엄마I love you, mom
- 엄마, 배고파요.eomma, baegopayo.Mama, I'm hungry.
- 우리 엄마는 정말 예뻐요.uri eommaneun jeongmal yeppeoyo.My mama is really pretty.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Jieun are talking about their families at home.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo지은아, 너희 엄마는 어디 계셔?jieun-a, neohi eommaneun eodi gyesyeo?Jieun, where is your mama?
- 지은 Ji-eun엄마는 지금 시장에 가셨어.eommaneun jigeum sijange gasyeosseo.Mama went to the market just now.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그렇구나, 나도 엄마 보고 싶어.geureokuna, nado eomma bogo sipeo.I see, I miss my mama too.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우야, 곧 오실 거야.hyunwoo-ya, got osil geoya.Hyunwoo, she will be here soon.
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.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
