mamá
neutral, Cuba
Mom in Cuban Spanish is mamá. Kids and adults also say mami to sound warm, and mi vieja is a casual way to refer to your mother. It is also called vieja.
Meaning: mother (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| mamá | neutral, Cuba |
| vieja | casual, slang |
| mami | affectionate |
Mamá is standard for speaking to or about a mother. Mami is tender and common in families.
Which one should you use?
Vieja literally means old and is fond when said about your own mom, as in mi vieja. It is not polite to use about someone else's mother.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural mamás can also mean mothers or Mother's Day events, as in el día de las madres.
Did you know?
- Cubans celebrate Mother's Day in May, like many Spanish-speaking countries.
Examples in context
- Mi mamá trabaja mucho.My mom works a lot.
- Mami, tengo hambre.Mommy, I am hungry.
- Mi vieja cocina riquísimo.My mom cooks really well.
Example conversation
Adrián comes home and talks with his mother Silvia in Guantánamo.
- AdriánMami, ya llegué.Mom, I am home.
- SilviaHola, mi hijo. ¿Tienes hambre?Hi, my son. Are you hungry?
- AdriánSí, mamá.Yes, Mom.
