maman
/ma.mɑ̃/
The English phrase "mommy" is translated into French as maman.
maman is an affectionate way to say "mommy". While it serves as a term of endearment, it is also the standard, everyday way for both children and adults to refer to their mother in a warm, informal manner.
Which one should you use?
maman is used to express affection and closeness. In contrast, the word mère is the more formal, biological or distant term for "mother".
How does it change in a sentence?
When using maman to mean "my mommy", it is common to use the possessive adjective ma (my) to express the personal connection.
How do you pronounce it?
/ma.mɑ̃/
Did you know?
- Using the formal mère instead of maman when speaking about one's mother can actually make a person sound emotionally detached or even cold in a family setting.
- The word maman shares an ancestral link with the Latin 'mamma', which was a common way for infants in the Roman era to refer to a nurse or mother.
- In some French-speaking regions, maman can be used as a generic term of endearment for any nurturing older woman, regardless of actual kinship.
Examples in context
- Où est ma maman ?Where's my mommy?This sentence is useful for asking the location of one's maman.Tatoeba #3627909 by fleur74, translation #2254646 by CK
- Où est ta maman ?Where is your mommy?This sentence is useful for asking the location of someone else's maman.Tatoeba #3628064 by fleur74, translation #4494793 by CK
- Je veux ma maman !I want my mommy.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire for one's maman.Tatoeba #8070517 by felix63, translation #1887880 by CK
- Maman, tu es la meilleure !Mommy, you are the best!
- Viens dire bonjour à mamounette !Come say hello to mommy!
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Lucas are in the living room.
- ChloéMaman est dans la cuisine.Mommy is in the kitchen.
- LucasJe vais aller la voir.I am going to go see her.
- ChloéDis bonjour à maman pour moi.Say hello to mommy for me.
- LucasD'accord, je le ferai.Okay, I will.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry maman, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries maman, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
