Mami
The English word "mommy" is translated into German as Mami.
Mami is an affectionate term used by children to address their mother.
Which one should you use?
While both are informal, Mami is a highly affectionate, diminutive term. Mama is the more common, standard way for children to say "mom" in German.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Mami is an informal, diminutive form used primarily by very young children or in very intimate family settings. Mama is also an informal and endearing term used by children.
How does it change in a sentence?
Mami is a feminine noun and takes feminine articles such as die or possessives like meine.
Did you know?
- The French term mamie for grandmother is a linguistic relative of the German diminutive 'Mami', despite their different meanings in each language.
- The diminutive suffix -i is often used in German to turn nouns into cute or pet names, similar to how 'y' works in 'doggy'.
- While 'mommy' is often used by adults in English to be cute, using Mami as an adult in German is much more strongly associated with extreme, almost regressive, intimacy.
Examples in context
- Wo ist meine Mami?Where's my mommy?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of one's Mami.Tatoeba #3296975 by pne, translation #2254646 by CK
- Mami, ich habe Bauchweh!Mommy, I have a tummy ache.This sentence is useful for a child telling their Mami that they have a tummy ache.Tatoeba #2619566 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2354283 by orcrist
- Mami ist momentan nicht zu Hause.Mommy is not home at the moment.This sentence is useful for stating that Mami is not currently at home.Tatoeba #4639512 by Emtyra, translation #4636831 by MatthewChriswood
- Meine Mama ist eine großartige Frau.My mom is a great woman.
- Ich liebe dich, Mutti!I love you, mommy!
- Kannst du mir bitte helfen, Mami?Could you please help me, mommy?
- Mama, ich habe ein tolles Bild für dich gemalt!Mommy, I made a great picture for you!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A child is talking to his mother in the kitchen.
- JuliaMami, darf ich ein Eis haben?Mommy, may I have an ice cream?
- FelixErst musst du dein Gemüse essen, Felix.First you have to eat your vegetables, Felix.
- JuliaAber ich will jetzt ein Eis, Mami!But I want an ice cream now, Mommy!
- FelixWir sehen danach mal, Julia sagt auch ja.We'll see afterwards, Julia says yes too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Mami, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Mami, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
