ماما
mamaeveryday, casual
Lebanese children call their mother ماما (mama), and إمي (emmi) means "my mother" when talking about her.
Meaning: informal word for mother (noun)
Ways to say it
| Lebanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ماما | mama | everyday, casual |
| إمي | emmi | everyday, my mother |
ماما (mama) is the common word for addressing Mom at any age. إمي (emmi) is used when you speak about her to someone else, for example إمي بالبيت (emmi bil-bayt), "my mom is at home".
Is it said differently in some regions?
Some Lebanese families say يمّا (yemma) instead, but ماما (mama) is understood everywhere.
Did you know?
- The phrase يسلم إيديكي (yeslam idayki), "bless your hands", is what Lebanese say to thank a woman for food she cooked.
Examples in context
- ماما، وين مفاتيحي؟mama, wein mafatihi?Mom, where are my keys?
- إمي بتطبخ كتير منيح.emmi bitetbokh ktir mnih.My mom cooks very well.
Example conversation
Teenager Sara talks to her mother in the kitchen.
- Saraماما، شو عم تطبخي؟mama, shu 3am tetbokhi?Mom, what are you cooking?
- Mamaمجدرة، حبيبتي.mjaddara, habibti.Mjaddara, my dear.
- Saraيسلم إيديكي.yeslam idayki.Bless your hands.
