mamma
/²mamːa/
mamma is the Swedish word for mom.
mamma is an affectionate and common way to refer to a female parent.
Which one should you use?
While mamma is the standard affectionate term, mor is a more formal or archaic way to say mother. For an even more informal and relaxed variation, you can use morsa.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural 'moms', use mammor. To specify 'the mom', add the definite suffix '-n' to the end of the word to form mamman.
How do you pronounce it?
/²mamːa/
Did you know?
- The word mamma might not actually be a 'real' word with a historical root, but rather an imitation of the very first sounds a human baby makes.
- While mamma is the standard, using mor in a modern domestic setting can sometimes sound intentionally stiff or ironic to a native speaker.
Examples in context
- Mamma är på jobbet.Mom is at work.This sentence shows how to use mamma to say someone is at work.Tatoeba #4363777 by richke, translation #4109263 by Balamax
- Min mamma är orolig.My mom is worried.This sentence shows how to use mamma to describe a mother being worried.Tatoeba #10724768 by Pineapple, translation #5346744 by Hybrid
- Samis mamma gick hem.Sami's mom went home.This sentence shows how to use mamma to refer to a specific person's mother.Tatoeba #10601289 by Pineapple, translation #7160374 by OsoHombre
- Tack för allt du gör, mamma!Thank you for everything you do, Mom!
- Hey morsa, vad ska vi äta ikväll?Hey mom, what are we having for dinner tonight?
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alice and Oscar are talking in the kitchen.
- AliceVar är mamma nu?Where is mom now?
- OscarHon handlar i affären.She is shopping at the store.
- AliceJag vill ringa mamma.I want to call mom.
- OscarHon kommer snart hem.She will be home soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry mamma, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mamma, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
