おかあさん
okāsaneveryday
The common way to say "mom" in hiragana is おかあさん (okāsan). Children often say ママ (mama), and some men use おふくろ (ofukuro) casually about their mother. It is also called かあさん (kāsan).
Meaning: mom (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| おかあさん | okāsan | everyday |
| かあさん | kāsan | casual |
| ママ | mama | casual, child speech |
| おふくろ | ofukuro | casual, male speakers |
Which one should you use?
おかあさん (okāsan) is respectful and works for your own mom and someone else's. かあさん (kāsan) is the shorter form used mostly in the family. おふくろ (ofukuro) sounds rough and is mainly used by men talking about their own mother.
How do you pronounce it?
Hold the あ in おかあさん for two beats, "o-kaa-san".
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use おふくろ (ofukuro) to someone else's mother, and do not use おかあさん to refer to your own mother when you talk to people outside the family, where はは (haha) is used.
Did you know?
- Mother's Day in Japan falls on the second Sunday of May, and people often give carnations.
Examples in context
- おかあさん、おなかが すいた。Okāsan, onaka ga suita.Mom, I am hungry.
- ママと いっしょに いく。Mama to issho ni iku.I will go with Mom.
- おふくろの りょうりが すきだ。Ofukuro no ryōri ga suki da.I like my mom's cooking.
Example conversation
Ken comes home from school and talks with his mom Mrs. Ishii.
- Kenただいま。おかあさん、おやつは？Tadaima. Okāsan, oyatsu wa?I am back. Mom, what about a snack?
- Mrs. Ishiiおかえり。テーブルの うえに あるよ。Okaeri. Tēburu no ue ni aru yo.Welcome. It is on the table.
- Kenやった！Yatta!Yes!
