moeder
/ˈmu.dər/feminine
The Dutch word for mother is moeder.
moeder is a feminine noun used to refer to a female human who has given birth to or is parenting a child.
Meaning: female (human) who gives birth to or parents a child (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While moeder is the standard term, you can use mama for a warmer, more affectionate or child-like way of saying mom or mommy. Mama is a widely used informal term across the Netherlands.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To talk about more than one mother, use the plural form moeders. You can also use the adjective moederlijk to describe something as being motherly or maternal.
How do you pronounce it?
moeder is pronounced /ˈmu.dər/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In Dutch, the word moeder can also refer to a 'nut' in mechanics, such as the female threaded part that fits onto a bolt.
- The word moeder originates from the Proto-Indo-European root *méh₂tēr, which is the ancestor of the English word 'mother'.
- If you want to describe a person as being a 'godmother', you would use the word peetmoeder, which combines the concept of a godparent with 'mother'.
Examples in context
- Is zij uw moeder?Is she your mother?This sentence is useful for asking if a woman is someone's moeder.Tatoeba #1100161 by martinod, translation #310268 by CK
- Is dat je moeder?Is that your mother?This sentence is useful for asking if a person is someone's moeder.Tatoeba #4595192 by Raizin, translation #1869241 by CM
- Ik ken je moeder.I know your mother.This sentence is useful for stating that you know someone's moeder.Tatoeba #6103986 by Raizin, translation #3565058 by CK
- Ik hou van mijn moeder.I love my mother.
- Mijn moeder is erg zorgzaam.My mother is very caring.
- Mevrouw, mag ik u voorstellen aan mijn moeder?Madam, may I introduce you to my mother?
- Ik bel mijn mama elke dag.I call my mom every day.
- Mama, ik ben thuis!Mom, I'm home!
- Heb je de boodschappen al gedaan, mams?Did you already do the groceries, mom?
- 569 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Levi are talking about family during a break.
- JuliaIs je moeder ook in de stad?Is your mother also in the city?
- LeviJa, mijn moeder woont hier vlakbij.Yes, my mother lives close by.
- JuliaWat fijn dat je moeder zo dichtbij woont.How nice that your mother lives so close.
- LeviDat is zeker waar, Julia.That is certainly true, Julia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mother” translations and entries moeder, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries moeder, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
