엄마
eomma[ʌ̹mma̠]
엄마 (eomma) is the Korean word for mom.
엄마 is an informal and affectionate term used to address or refer to one's mother. It is typically used by children or when adults are speaking in a very casual, intimate or affectionate manner toward their mother.
Which one should you use?
While 엄마 is the informal term for 'mom', 어머니 is the formal and polite term for 'mother'. Additionally, 어머님 is a respectful term used to address someone else's mother or to show honor and reverence towards your own mother.
How does it change in a sentence?
When 엄마 is the subject of a sentence, it often takes the subject marker 가 to become 엄마가. When 엄마 is the direct object of a verb, it takes the object marker 를 to become 엄마를.
How do you pronounce it?
eomma
Did you know?
- In some Korean dialects, you may hear variations of 엄마 that sound slightly different, but the 'm' sound is almost universally preserved as it mimics the primal sound infants make.
- The word 엄마 actually hides a grammatical particle used to call out to someone, known as a vocative particle, which is why the ending sounds so rhythmic.
- Because 엄마 is so intimate, calling a female stranger or a much older woman 엄마 would be an extreme social faux pas, unlike calling a shopkeeper 'mom' in some English dialects.
Examples in context
- 나는 네 엄마를 안다.I know your mom.This sentence is useful for practicing the object form 엄마.Tatoeba #11106717 by intertime, translation #11165303 by Layla
- 엄마는 운동하는 걸 안 좋아한다.Mom doesn't like to exercise.This sentence is useful for practicing the subject form 엄마.Tatoeba #4568851 by imjcooper, translation #4568147 by CD
- 우리 엄마는 나보다 동생을 더 좋아해.My mom likes my brother more than me.Tatoeba #8358408 by Eunhee, translation #3419611 by Hybrid
- 엄마, 오늘 저녁은 뭘 만들까요?Mom, what should we make for dinner tonight?
- 엄마, 주말에 같이 영화를 볼까?Mom, do you want to watch a movie together this weekend?
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minji and Hyunwoo are talking about their families at a cafe.
- 민지 Min-ji현우야, 너희 엄마는 잘 계셔?Hyeon-u-ya, neo-hui eom-ma-neun jal gye-syeo?Hyunwoo, is your mom doing well?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo응, 우리 엄마는 요즘 아주 건강해.Eung, u-ri eom-ma-neun yo-jeum a-ju geon-gang-hae.Yes, my mom is very healthy these days.
- 민지 Min-ji다행이다. 우리 엄마도 잘 계셔.Da-haeng-i-da. U-ri eom-ma-do jal gye-syeo.That's good to hear. My mom is doing well too.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo민지 너희 엄마께 안부 전해드려.Min-ji neo-hui eom-ma-kke an-bu jeon-hae-deu-ryeo.Give my regards to your mother, Minji.
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.
