ママ
mama[ma̠ma̠]
The Japanese word for mommy is ママ (mama).
ママ is an informal name used by children or adults to address or refer to their mother. You can use it both as a direct address to call out to her and as a third-person reference when talking about her.
Which one should you use?
Another casual option is かあちゃん, which is a casual term used to address one's mother.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ママ is an informal, affectionate term most commonly used by young children or in very casual family settings. かあちゃん is also considered a casual term.
How do you pronounce it?
mama
Did you know?
- While ママ is used by children, it is also frequently found in the names of hostess bars or small cafes, where the owner or staff might be nicknamed 'Mama'.
- Adults who continue to call their mothers ママ in public are sometimes perceived as being overly dependent or 'spoiled'.
- The term ママ is a loanword derived from the English 'mama'.
Examples in context
- ママはどこ？Where's mommy?This example shows how to use ママ when asking for her location.Tatoeba #10157623 by small_snow, translation #1548212 by Spamster
- ママになるんだね。You're going to be a mommy.This example uses ママ to refer to someone becoming a mother.Tatoeba #12725779 by small_snow, translation #1121820 by CN
- ねぇママ、私っていい子？Mommy, am I a good girl?This example shows how to use ママ when addressing her directly.Tatoeba #11998551 by small_snow, translation #12016132 by end
- お母さん、これは私の国で人気のあるお菓子です。Mother, this is a popular snack from my country.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A young boy and girl are playing together at home.
- 大翔 Hirotoママ、お腹すいた！Mama, onaka suita!Mommy, I'm hungry!
- 陽葵 Himariママは今、ご飯を作ってるよ。Mama wa ima, gohan o tsukutteru yo.Mommy is making food right now.
- 大翔 Hiroto僕も手伝う！Boku mo tetsudau!I'll help too!
- 陽葵 Himariあ、ママに言わないでね。A, mama ni iwanaide ne.Ah, don't tell mommy.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ママ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ママ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
