матуся
matusya
The English phrase "mommy" is translated into Ukrainian as матуся (matusya).
матуся is an affectionate, diminutive form of the word for mother, used by children or adults to refer to their mother.
Which one should you use?
While матуся is an affectionate term equivalent to "mommy", the standard and more formal word for "mother" is мати.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
матуся is an informal and affectionate term. Another informal, affectionate option is Матулька.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes to матусі when used in the dative case (for example, "to mommy") or the genitive case (for example, "of mommy").
How do you pronounce it?
matusya
Did you know?
- While матуся is affectionate, the root мати can also function as a verb meaning 'to have' in Ukrainian.
- The word 'мати' (mother) and the English word 'matron' share a distant Indo-European ancestry, rooted in the concept of an older or more senior female.
- In Ukrainian, using the formal мати in a casual home setting can sometimes sound cold or distant, as if the speaker is intentionally avoiding affection.
Examples in context
- Моя матуся дуже добра.Moya matusya duzhe dobra.My mommy is very kind.
- Матуся, я тебе люблю!Matusya, ya tebe lyublyu!Mommy, I love you!
Example conversation
Dmytro is telling his mother that he finished his drawing.
- Дмитро DmytroМатуся, подивись на мій малюнок!Matusya, podyvys na miy malyunok!Mommy, look at my drawing!
- Ірина IrynaЯкий гарний малюнок, Дмитре!Yakyy harnyy malyunok, Dmytre!What a beautiful drawing, Dmytro!
- Дмитро DmytroДякую, матуся!Dyakuyu, matusya!Thank you, mommy!
- Ірина IrynaТи молодець!Ty molodets!You did a great job!
