엄마
eomma[ʌ̹mma̠]
The Korean word for "mommy" is 엄마 (eomma).
엄마 is an informal term for one's mother. While it is primarily used by young children, adults may still use it when speaking to their own mothers in a highly casual or affectionate manner.
Which one should you use?
엄마 is the equivalent of the English "mommy" used in intimate settings.
How do you pronounce it?
eomma
Did you know?
- The word 엄마 (eomma) actually contains a hidden 'hey' at the end. It was formed by taking the word for 'mother', 어미 (eomi), and adding the vocative particle -아 (-a) to call out to her.
- If you were to use 엄마 (eomma) toward your mother-in-law, it would be considered a major social error. Even in very close families, the term is strictly reserved for one's biological or direct maternal figures.
- In digital contexts, such as text messaging, Korean speakers often use 엄마 (eomma) with additional consonants like 'ㅁㅁ' to mimic the cute, 'aegyo' sound of a child calling for their mother.
Examples in context
- 엄마, 오늘 저녁 메뉴는 뭐예요?Mom, what's for dinner tonight?
- 엄마, 배고파요.eomma, baegopayo.Mommy, I'm hungry.
- 엄마는 어디에 있어요?eommaneun eodie isseoyo?Where is mommy?
- 엄마, 사랑해요!eomma, saranghaeyo!Mommy, I love you!
Example conversation
Two children are looking for their mother in the house.
- 서연 Seo-yeon민준아, 엄마 어디 계셔?Minjun-a, eomma eodi gyesyeo?Minjun, where is mommy?
- 민준 Min-jun엄마는 주방에 계셔.eommaneun jubange gyesyeo.Mommy is in the kitchen.
- 서연 Seo-yeon우리 같이 가자!uri gachi gaja!Let's go together!
- 민준 Min-jun응, 빨리 가자.eung, ppalli gaja.Yes, let's go quickly.
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.
