媽咪
maa1 mi1
The English phrase "mom" can be translated into Cantonese as 媽咪 (maa1 mi1).
媽咪 is an affectionate and endearing term used to address one's mother. It is equivalent to the English terms "mommy" or "mom."
Which one should you use?
While 媽咪 is an affectionate term often used by children or in a sweet way, 阿媽 is a more colloquial, standard way to refer to one's mother in everyday speech. For formal or written contexts, such as official documents or serious situations, the term 母親 is used instead of 媽咪.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
媽咪 is an informal, affectionate term.
How do you pronounce it?
maa1 mi1
Did you know?
- The term 媽咪 is actually a loanword from English. It uses the English sounds 'mommy' adapted into Cantonese phonology to create a cute, modern way to call one's mother.
- In Cantonese, the prefix 阿 in 阿媽 is a kinship marker that turns a formal title into an intimate name used for family and close friends.
- The distinction between 媽咪 and 母親 is so vast that using the latter in a casual conversation about your family would make you sound like a character in a historical period drama.
Examples in context
Example conversation
Yating is telling her brother Junjie that their mother is calling.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting俊傑，媽咪打嚟呀！zeon git, maa mi da lai aa!Junjie, Mommy is calling!
- 俊傑 Chun Kit佢搵我咩？keoi wan ngo me?Is she looking for me?
- 雅婷 Nga Ting佢想問你有冇時間返屋企。keoi soeng man nei jau mou si gaan faan uk kei.She wants to ask if you have time to come home.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit好，我而家接媽咪電話。hou, ngo ji gaa zip maa mi din waa.Okay, I will answer Mommy's call now.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
