אמא
íma/ˈ(ʔ)i.ma/
The Hebrew word for "mom" is אמא (íma).
אמא is the common, informal way to address or refer to one's mother. For example, the phrase אמא שלי translates to "my mom" in English.
Which one should you use?
While אמא is used for the informal "mom", the term אם (em) is the more formal word for "mother".
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: íma (/ˈ(ʔ)i.ma/).
Did you know?
- In Hebrew, the word for 'mother' אם is the same word used to mean 'if'.
- The word אמא is a direct linguistic cousin to the Aramaic word אִמָּא, meaning the way you call for your mother in modern Hebrew is almost identical to how it was spoken in ancient Mesopotamia.
- In modern Israel, אמא is frequently used as a general term of endearment or a soft way to address a woman in a nurturing role, even if she is not the speaker's biological mother.
Examples in context
- ראה, הנה אמא שלי.Look, there's my mom.This sentence is useful for pointing out where one's אמא is.Tatoeba #2047249 by fekundulo, translation #3174808 by Joseph
- אמא, טום מרביץ לי!Mom, Tom's hitting me!This sentence is useful for calling out to one's אמא.Tatoeba #1908834 by MrShoval, translation #1908477 by Spamster
- הוא גר עם אמא שלו.He lives with his mom.This sentence is useful for describing someone living with their אמא.Tatoeba #2063909 by MrShoval, translation #2060025 by Spamster
- 64 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rotem and Noam are talking about a family dinner.
- רוטם Rotemנועם, אמא שלך תבוא לארוחה?Noam, ima shelcha tavo la'arucha?Noam, is your mom coming to the meal?
- נועם Noamכן, היא כבר בדרך הביתה.Ken, hi kvar baderech habayta.Yes, she is already on her way home.
- רוטם Rotemאיזו אמא נהדרת היא!Eizo ima nehederet hi!What a wonderful mom she is!
- נועם Noamתודה, אני אספר לה.Toda, ani asaper la.Thanks, I will tell her.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry אמא, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries אמא, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
