மாமா
māmā/mɑːmɑː/
The Tamil phrase for "mama" is மாமா (māmā).
மாமா is a term used to refer to a maternal uncle or a father's younger brother. In colloquial or romantic contexts, women often use மாமா to refer to a husband or a boyfriend.
Which one should you use?
While மாமா refers to a maternal uncle or a father's younger brother, பெரியப்பா (periyappā) is used specifically for a father's elder brother.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is māmā. The IPA pronunciation is /mɑːmɑː/.
Did you know?
- Although many languages use 'mama' to mean 'mother', in Tamil, மாமா refers specifically to a male relative or a romantic interest.
- The word மாமா is an ancient loanword from Dravidian languages into Sanskrit, which eventually influenced the Hindi word 'mama'.
- In some traditional Tamil marriage customs, the மாமா plays a central role in negotiating the alliance and welcoming the bride into the family.
Examples in context
- மாமா, நீங்கள் எப்படி இருக்கின்றீர்கள்?Uncle, how are you?
- என் மாமா இன்று வருவார்.en māma inṟu varuvār.My uncle will come today.
- மாமா என்னுடன் பேசினார்.māma eṉṉuṭaṉ pēciṉār.Uncle spoke with me.
- அவர் என் மாமா.avar eṉ māma.He is my uncle.
Example conversation
Anita and Arun are talking about a family visit.
- அனிதா Anitaஅருண், உங்கள் மாமா எங்கே?Aruṇ, uṅkaḷ māma eṅkē?Arun, where is your uncle?
- அருண் Arunஅவர் இப்போது வேலையில் இருக்கிறார்.Avar ippōtu vēlaiyil irukkiṟār.He is at work now.
- அனிதா Anitaமாமா எப்போது வருவார்?Māma eppōtu varuvār?When will uncle come?
- அருண் Arunஅவர் மாலையில் வருவார்.Avar mālaiyil varuvār.He will come in the evening.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry மாமா, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries மாமா, CC BY-SA 4.0.
