അമ്മ
amma/ɐmmɐ/
The Malayalam word for "mom" is അമ്മ (amma).
അമ്മ is an informal term for a female parent. It is used both as a direct way to address one's mother and as a general term for "mother" in many different contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɐmmɐ/. The romanization is amma.
When do people say it?
In Malayalam culture, അമ്മ is also frequently used as a respectful way to address older women or women in positions of authority, even if they are not one's biological mother.
Did you know?
- In certain regional dialects of Malayalam, the word അമ്മ can be used as a gentle exclamation of surprise or distress, similar to how some English speakers say 'Oh my goodness'.
- In Kerala, the word അമ്മ is often used as a title for goddesses in Hinduism, reflecting the divine status of motherhood.
- The word അമ്മ is shared across almost all Dravidian languages, including Tamil and Kannada, because it is an ancient root word.
Examples in context
- അമ്മ എവിടെയാണ്?ammā evideyāṇu?Where is mom?
- എന്റെ അമ്മ പാചകം ചെയ്യുകയാണ്.ente ammā pācakam ceyyukayāṇu.My mom is cooking.
- അമ്മയെ വിളിക്കൂ.ammāye vilikkū.Call mom.
Example conversation
Manoj and Anjali are talking about their families.
- അഞ്ജലി Anjaliനിന്റെ അമ്മ എന്ത് ചെയ്യുന്നു?Ninte amma enthu cheyyunnu?What does your mom do?
- മനോജ് Manojഎന്റെ അമ്മ ഒരു അധ്യാപികയാണ്.Ente amma oru adhyapikayanu.My mom is a teacher.
- അഞ്ജലി Anjaliഅത് കൊള്ളാം!Athu kollam!That is great!
- മനോജ് Manojഅതെ, അമ്മയ്ക്ക് ജോലി ഇഷ്ടമാണ്.Athe, ammaykku joli ishtamanu.Yes, mom likes her job.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry അമ്മ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries അമ്മ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
