അമ്മ
amma/ɐmmɐ/
The English phrase "mama" translates to Malayalam as അമ്മ (amma).
അമ്മ is an informal way to say mother.
Which one should you use?
While അമ്മ is the common term for mother, Ammavan is a formal term used for "Mama".
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as /ɐmmɐ/ (amma).
Did you know?
- The word അമ്മ is used in the common phrase അമ്മേ!, which functions as an exclamation of shock or fear, similar to how an English speaker might shout 'Oh my god!'
- While അമ്മ is the standard for 'mother', adding the suffix '-അമ്മ' to other names or titles can create a term of endearment or respect, such as in certain names of deities.
- In some traditional contexts, the word അമ്മ is used to refer to the earth, treating nature as the ultimate maternal figure.
Examples in context
- അമ്മ എവിടെ?amma evide?Where is mama?
- അമ്മ ഭക്ഷണം തന്നു.amma bhakshanam thannu.Mama gave food.
- അമ്മ വരുന്നുണ്ട്.amma varunnundu.Mama is coming.
Example conversation
Rahul and Lakshmi are talking at home.
- രാഹുൽ Rahulലക്ഷ്മി, അമ്മ എവിടെ?lakshmi, amma evide?Lakshmi, where is mama?
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiഅമ്മ അടുക്കളയിലാണ്.amma adukkalayilanu.Mama is in the kitchen.
- രാഹുൽ Rahulഎനിക്ക് വിശക്കുന്നു.enikku vishakkunnu.I am hungry.
- ലക്ഷ്മി Lakshmiഅമ്മ ഉടനെ വരും.amma udane varum.Mama will come soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry അമ്മ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
