Mẹ
[mɛ˧˨ʔ]
Mẹ is the Vietnamese word for mom.
Mẹ is used to refer to a female parent. When a child is speaking to their mother, they typically do not use the standard word for I (tôi). Instead, they use the kinship term con to refer to themselves.
Which one should you use?
Mẹ is the standard term for mom. To call out to your mother to get her attention, you use the vocative form mẹ ơi, which adds the particle ơi after the word Mẹ.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
mẹ ơi is an informal way to address a mother.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern Vietnam, Má is a very common and natural way to say mom instead of Mẹ. In Northern Vietnam, people might use U or Bầm in very traditional or rural contexts, although Mẹ is universally understood.
How does it change in a sentence?
To get a mother's attention, you use the vocative form mẹ ơi by adding the particle ơi after Mẹ.
Did you know?
- The word mẹ is a doublet of mái, which is used to describe a female bird or animal.
- The word mẹ is likely a 'nursery word', meaning it is a sound that infants naturally produce and mimics the easy mouth movements of a baby's first speech.
Examples in context
- Mẹ đã mua táo.Mom bought apples.This sentence shows how to use Mẹ as the subject.Tatoeba #13340198 by leucammieuvu, translation #9191859 by CK
- Mẹ tôi là nhất!My mom is the best!Tatoeba #10257720 by hothuyhien, translation #10257045 by LimeGreenTeknii
- Mẹ bạn bảo sao?What does your mom say?Tatoeba #13901159 by leucammieuvu, translation #12362180 by rul
- Mẹ của tôi rất hiền lành.My mother is very gentle.
- Hôm nay mẹ nấu món ăn ngon lắm.Mom cooked a delicious meal today.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two siblings are talking in the living room.
- NamMẹ đang làm gì thế?What is Mom doing?
- LanMẹ đang nấu cơm trong bếp.Mom is cooking rice in the kitchen.
- NamMẹ nấu món gì vậy?What dish is Mom cooking?
- LanMẹ nấu món cá kho.Mom is cooking braised fish.
Sources
- Pronunciation from the Wiktionary entry mẹ.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mẹ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
