How to Say "Mother" in Albanian

nënë

/nənə/

The English word "mother" is translated into Albanian as nënë. If unsure, use nënë. Wiktionary also lists mëmë.

Meaning: female (human) who gives birth to or parents a child (noun)

Ways to say it

“mother” in Albanian
Albanian	IPA	Note
nënë	/nənə/
mëmë	/məmə/	feminine

The term nënë refers to a female human who gives birth to or parents a child. In a religious context, it is also the word used to refer to a nun.

While nënë is the standard word for mother, mëmë is an affectionate and informal term similar to "mom" or "mommy" in English.

The word nënë follows standard Albanian declension. For example, the genitive singular form meaning "mother's" or "of the mother" is nënës.

/nənə/

The word mëmë is closely related to the Latin word 'mamma', which is also the root for the English word 'mammal'.
In Albanian culture the term nënë can be used as a title of respect for older women or spiritual leaders regardless of biological relation.

A e doni nënën tuaj?
Do you love your mother?
This sentence is useful for seeing how to express affection for your nënë.
Tatoeba #3985108 by Balamax, translation #3982160 by Balamax
Nënë Tereza u lind në Jugosllavi në vitin 1910.
Mother Teresa was born in Yugoslavia in 1910.
This sentence shows the use of nënë in a title, such as for Mother Teresa.
Tatoeba #1456326 by Balamax, translation #32865 by CK

Majlinda and Klodian are talking about their families.

Majlinda

Ku është nënë juaj sot?
Where is your mother today?
Klodian

Ajo është në shtëpi duke gatuar.
She is at home cooking.
Majlinda

Nënë është gjithmonë shumë punuese.
Mother is always very hardworking.
Klodian

Po, ajo punon shumë për ne.
Yes, she works hard for us.

Sources

Wiktionary, “mother” translations and entries nënë, mëmë, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries mëmë, nënë, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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