mamaí
/ˈmˠamˠiː/
The Irish word for "mom" is mamaí.
mamaí is an informal way to refer to a mother.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain areas of Connacht, people may use the word máthairín as an informal term for "mom".
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmˠamˠiː/
Did you know?
- Although it is used in Ireland today, mamaí is actually a loanword borrowed directly from the English word 'mammy'.
- The word máthair is an ancient word that shares a very distant root with the Latin word mater.
- In Irish, adding the diminutive suffix -ín to a word doesn't just make it smaller, it can change the entire emotional tone of how you address a person.
Examples in context
- Gabh mo leithscéal, Mam, ach an féidir leat cabhrú liom, más é do thoil é?Excuse me, Mom, but can you help me, please?
Example conversation
Saoirse and Oisín are talking about their families.
- SaoirseCá bhfuil do mamaí, a Oisín?Where is your mom, Oisín?
- OisínTá sí ag obair anois.She is at work now.
- SaoirseTá mo mamaí ag teachs.My mom is at home.
- OisínSin go dea!That is great!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mamaí, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mamaí, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thanks interesting post