mamaí
/ˈmˠamˠiː/
The Irish word for 'mammy' is mamaí.
mamaí is a noun used as a child's name for their mother.
Meaning: child's name for mother (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmˠamˠiː/
Did you know?
- In Irish, using the word mamaí often triggers a change in the noun's form if it is used in a vocational call, such as a mhamai.
- Because mamaí is a direct loanword from English, it lacks the traditional Gaelic roots found in other Irish family terms.
- While mamaí is used by children, an adult calling their mother mamaí in public might be viewed as acting particularly 'cute' or childish.
Examples in context
- mo MhamMy mam
Example conversation
A child is looking for his mother in the kitchen.
- NiamhCá bhfuil mamaí, a Oisín?Where is mammy, Oisín?
- OisínTá sí sa ghárdín.She is in the garden.
- NiamhAn bhfuil mamaí ag obair?Is mammy working?
- OisínNíl sí ag obair anois.She is not working now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mamaí, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mamaí, CC BY-SA 4.0.
