妈妈
mama
The English phrase "mommy" is translated into Chinese as 妈妈 (mama), the most common term for this relationship.
妈妈 is the most commonly used term for "mommy" in Chinese.
Which one should you use?
While 妈妈 is the standard colloquial term for "mommy", 妈咪 (māmi) is an informal version that adds a touch of sweetness and playfulness. In contrast, 母亲 (mǔqīn) is the formal term for "mother" used in official or serious contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The single character 妈 (mā) can be used as a shortened, more casual version of 妈妈.
How do you pronounce it?
mama
Did you know?
- The character 妈 is composed of two parts: the 女 radical for 'woman' and the 马 character for 'horse'. The 'horse' part provides the sound, but the 'woman' part tells you the meaning.
- In Chinese culture, calling your mother by her given name is considered extremely disrespectful and is virtually never done.
- In modern internet slang, some users use phonetic approximations or cute variations of 妈妈 to express a sense of being 'pampered' or 'protected' by a brand or a fandom.
Examples in context
- 妈妈，为什么我没有长胡子的舅舅呢？Mommy, why don't I have an uncle with a beard?This sentence shows how to use 妈妈 when asking a question.Tatoeba #1787961 by sadhen, translation #576695 by FeuDRenais2
- 你帮妈妈做事了？You helped Mommy?This sentence shows how to use 妈妈 when referring to oneself in the third person.Tatoeba #349506 by zhouj1955, translation #32492 by CM
- 妈妈，我饿了!Mommy, I'm hungry!
- 妈咪，我今天考了满分!Mommy, I got a perfect score on my test today!
- 妈妈，我想喝牛奶。Māma, wǒ xiǎng hē niúnǎi.Mommy, I want to drink milk.
Example conversation
A young girl is talking to her father about her mother.
- 梓涵 Zihan爸爸，妈妈在哪儿？Bàba, māma zài nǎ'er?Daddy, where is mommy?
- 志强 Zhiqiang妈妈在厨房里。Māma zài chúfáng lǐ.Mommy is in the kitchen.
- 梓涵 Zihan我要去找妈妈。Wǒ yào qù zhǎo māma.I want to go find mommy.
- 志强 Zhiqiang好，慢点跑。Hǎo, màn diǎn pǎo.Okay, run slowly.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
