mamá
/maˈma/
The Spanish word for "mom" is mamá.
mamá is an informal way to refer to a person's female parent.
Which one should you use?
While mamá is the informal term for "mom", the word madre is the more formal term equivalent to the English "mother".
How do you pronounce it?
/maˈma/
Did you know?
- In certain Spanish-speaking regions, the word mami is used as a common term of endearment between romantic partners, which can lead to confusion for learners.
- In some Latin American cultures, calling someone mamá or mamita is not always a reference to a biological parent, but can be a friendly, colloquial way to address an older woman.
- While mamá is universal, some Spanish speakers use madrecita as a diminutive to express an even deeper level of tenderness and affection.
Examples in context
- Quiero a mi mamá.I love my mom.This sentence shows how to express affection for your mamá.Tatoeba #651402 by Shishir, translation #2011109 by Shishir
- Mi mamá me cocina.My mom cooks for me.This sentence describes an action your mamá performs for you.Tatoeba #2139151 by hayastan, translation #9364454 by Nylez
- ¿Qué dijo tu mamá?What did your mom say?This sentence is used when asking about something your mamá said.Tatoeba #6673570 by UsuarioX, translation #3573387 by Hybrid
- Mi madre es una persona maravillosaMy mother is a wonderful person
- Mi mamá cocina deliciosoMy mom cooks delicious food
- ¡Hola, mami! ¿Cómo estás?Hi, mom! How are you?
- Hoy salgo con mi madre al cineToday, I'm going to the movies with my mom
- 185 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are talking on the phone.
- MateoHola Sofía, ¿estás con tu mamá?Hello Sofía, are you with your mom?
- SofíaNo, mi mamá está en el trabajo.No, my mom is at work.
- MateoDile a tu mamá que me llame.Tell your mom to call me.
- SofíaEstá bien, Mateo, yo le aviso.Okay, Mateo, I will let her know.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mamá, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
