엄마
eomma[ʌ̹mma̠]
The Korean word for mom is 엄마 (eomma).
엄마 is an informal and affectionate way to say 'mom'. While it is the primary term used by children, adults may also use it when speaking to or about their own mothers in casual settings.
Which one should you use?
엄마 is the informal, affectionate term for 'mom', whereas 어머니 is the more formal and respectful term for 'mother'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When 엄마 is the subject of a sentence, the particle 가 is added to the end to form 엄마가. When it is the direct object of a verb, the particle 를 is added to form 엄마를.
How do you pronounce it?
eomma
Did you know?
- The word 엄마 is an example of a 'fused vocative', where a name and a calling particle merged over time into a single word.
- The root word 어미 used to build 엄마 is still used in biological contexts today. For example, it can refer to a 'mother animal' in scientific or technical descriptions.
- While 엄마 is very common, if you use it to address your mother in a formal setting or in front of elders, it might be perceived as being overly childish or even disrespectful.
Examples in context
- 나는 네 엄마를 안다.I know your mom.This sentence shows how to use the object form of 엄마.Tatoeba #11106717 by intertime, translation #11165303 by Layla
- 엄마는 운동하는 걸 안 좋아한다.Mom doesn't like to exercise.This sentence shows how to use 엄마 as a subject.Tatoeba #4568851 by imjcooper, translation #4568147 by CD
- 우리 엄마는 나보다 동생을 더 좋아해.My mom likes my brother more than me.This sentence shows how to use 엄마 to refer to one's own mother.Tatoeba #8358408 by Eunhee, translation #3419611 by Hybrid
- 선생님, 제 어머님을 소개해 드릴게요.Teacher, let me introduce my mother.
- 저의 어머니께서는 유능한 아티스트입니다.My mother is a talented artist.
- 엄마, 학교 다녀왔어요.Mom, I'm back from school.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hyun-woo and Ji-eun are talking about their families.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo지은 씨는 엄마랑 같이 살아요?Ji-eun ssineun eommarang gati sarayo?Ji-eun, do you live with your mom?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 저는 엄마랑 같이 살아요.Ne, jeoneun eommarang gati sarayo.Yes, I live with my mom.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo좋으시겠어요. 저희 엄마는 멀리 사세요.Joeusigesseoyo. Jeohui eommaneun meolli saseyo.That must be nice. My mom lives far away.
- 지은 Ji-eun아쉽겠네요. 자주 연락하시나요?Asipgenneyo. Jaju yeonrakhasinayo?That's too bad. Do you contact her often?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 엄마, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 엄마, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
