mama
/ˈmɑmaː/
The Dutch word for mom is mama.
mama is an informal word used to address or refer to one's mother.
Which one should you use?
While mama is the informal equivalent of the English 'mom', the term moeder is the formal equivalent of 'mother'. The form mam is a common, shorter informal variation of mama.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
mama is informal. The form mam is the most commonly used term for mom in an informal context and is used by children and adults alike. In contrast, moeder is the formal term for 'mother'.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmɑmaː/
Did you know?
- The formal term moeder is so serious that using it to address your own mother in a casual setting can sound sarcastic or like you are jokingly pretending to be extremely polite.
- The term mama, though originally a loanword from French, has become so integrated into the Dutch language that it is often the very first word a Dutch infant attempts to speak.
- The word moeder is used in the Dutch term moederstaal to describe a person's 'native language'.
Examples in context
- Mama had veel te doen.Mom had a lot to do.This sentence shows how to use mama to describe someone's workload.Tatoeba #9484206 by Nylez, translation #12169699 by megamanenm
- Mama is ouder dan papa.Mom is older than Dad.This sentence uses mama to make a comparison of age.Tatoeba #3624517 by PaulP, translation #482368 by adjusting
- Mama, ik wil dit niet aan!Mom, I don't want to wear this.This sentence shows how to use mama when addressing your mother directly.Tatoeba #4718819 by doemaar14, translation #2654468 by Hybrid
- Ik houd van je, moeder.I love you, mother.
- Bedankt voor alles, mama.Thank you for everything, mama.
- Mam, wat eten we vanavond?Mom, what are we having for dinner tonight?
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two siblings are talking about their mother in the kitchen.
- LeviHeb je mama al gesproken?Have you spoken to mama yet?
- JuliaNee, zij is nog aan het werk.No, she is still at work.
- LeviMama komt vanavond laat thuis.Mama is coming home late tonight.
- JuliaDat is jammer, ik wilde haar iets vragen.That's a shame, I wanted to ask her something.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mama, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
