mẹ
[mɛ˧˨ʔ]
The English phrase "mama" is translated into Vietnamese as mẹ.
mẹ is an informal word used by children or adults to refer to their mother.
Which one should you use?
While "mama" is a common way to say mother in many languages, in Vietnamese, mẹ is the standard, most common term used by children and adults alike.
How does it change in a sentence?
When calling out to your mother to get her attention, it is natural to add the particle ơi after the word, resulting in mẹ ơi.
Did you know?
- The word mẹ is a doublet of mái, which refers to a female bird or hen.
- While mẹ is common in the North, people in the South of Vietnam often use má to say mother.
- In very traditional or formal settings, mẹ can be replaced by mẫu, a word borrowed from Chinese that appears in the term mẫu tử for 'mother and child'.
Examples in context
- Tiền mua quà sinh nhật mẹ ơi, đây!Here is the money to buy a birthday present, mama!
- Má ơi, con xin lỗi vì đã làm mẹ buồn.Mom, I'm sorry for making you sad.
- Mẹ ơi, con đói quá.Mama, I am so hungry.
- Con rất yêu mẹ.I love mother very much.
- Mẹ đang làm gì đấy?What is mama doing?
Example conversation
Nam and Mai are talking about their weekend plans.
- NamMai ơi, cuối tuần này cậu làm gì?Mai, what are you doing this weekend?
- MaiTớ sẽ về quê thăm mẹ.I will go back to my hometown to visit mom.
- NamThích quá, cho tớ gửi lời chào mẹ nhé.That's great, give my regards to your mom.
- MaiCảm ơn Nam, tớ sẽ nói lại với mẹ.Thank you Nam, I will tell her.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mẹ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mẹ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
