Ways to say it
| Bengali | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| মা | ma | /ma/ |
| আম্মু | ammu | |
| মাতা | mata | /mat̪a/ |
The term refers to a female human who gives birth to or parents a child.
Which one should you use?
মা is the standard and most common way to express the concept, while মাতা is used for a more formal or literary tone. আম্মু serves as an affectionate and informal way to address a mother.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
মা is used in everyday speech and is considered an endearing term. আম্মু is an informal, affectionate term similar to "mommy" or "mummy" in English. মাতা is a formal version suitable for literature, legal contexts or formal speeches.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some areas of Bangladesh, the term আই is used as a regional variation for "mother".
How do you pronounce it?
ma (IPA: /ma/)
When do people say it?
In Bengali culture, মা is often used as a term of endearment or respect for any woman who is older or acts in a maternal role.
Did you know?
- If you are looking at ancient Sanskrit roots, the word মাতা is a direct relative of the English word 'mother' via the Proto-Indo-European root.
- The term মা is frequently used to refer to the divine feminine or goddesses, such as কালী মা.
- The affectionate term আম্মু is particularly common in certain Muslim-majority communities in Bangladesh, showing how religious and cultural identity shapes everyday vocabulary.
Examples in context
- আপনি কি টমের মা?Are you Tom's mother?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is the mother of a specific person using মা.Tatoeba #13008598 by robingaspi, translation #3678262 by CK
- এই মেয়ের মা নেই।This girl has no mother.This sentence shows how to state that a person does not have a mother using মা.Tatoeba #11465232 by robingaspi, translation #931388 by FeuDRenais2
- যেমন মা, তেমনি মেয়ে।Like mother, like daughter.This sentence illustrates the proverb 'Like mother, like daughter' using মা.Tatoeba #5589763 by tanay, translation #843327 by parheliu
- আপনার মা আপনার জীবনে অনেক গুরুত্বপূর্ণ।Your mother is very important in your life.
- আপনার মাতার সাথে আমি কথা বলতে চাই।I want to talk to your mother.
- আমি আমার মায়ের কাছে ফিরব।I will return to my mother.
- 39 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rahul and Tania are talking about a family photo.
- তানিয়া Taniaএই ছবিতে কে?Ei chobite ke?Who is in this picture?
- রাহুল Rahulউনি আমার মা।Uni amar ma.She is my mother.
- তানিয়া Taniaআপনার মা খুব সুন্দর।Apnar ma khub sundor.Your mother is very beautiful.
- রাহুল Rahulধন্যবাদ, তানিয়া।Dhonnobad, Tania.Thank you, Tania.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mother” translations and entries মা, মাতা, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries মা, মাতা, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
