אֵם
emfeminine
The Hebrew word for mother is אֵם (em). Wiktionary also lists אִמָּא (ímma).
Meaning: female (human) who gives birth to or parents a child (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hebrew | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| אֵם | em | feminine |
| אִמָּא | ímma | feminine |
The terms used for mother in Hebrew range from formal, literary descriptors to affectionate, direct addresses used by people of all ages.
Which one should you use?
אֵם is the formal or literary term for a mother. In contrast, אִמָּא is the common, informal and affectionate way to say mother, similar to English terms like 'mom' or 'mommy'. Additionally, אִמִּי serves as an informal way to say mother, equivalent to 'mom' or 'mum'.
How do you pronounce it?
em
When do people say it?
Both children and adults use אִמָּא when addressing their own mother directly.
Did you know?
- The root of אֵם is shared with the word for 'nation' אוּמָּה, suggesting an ancient linguistic link between a mother and the founding of a people.
- The root of the word אֵם is found in ancient Semitic languages, making it a linguistic sibling to the Arabic word 'umm'.
- In Hebrew, the term אֵם can be used in a legal or formal context to describe a 'mother company' or parent organization.
Examples in context
- היא אֵם מצוינת.hi em metsu'anet.She is an excellent mother.
- אני רוצה להיות אֵם.ani rotza lihyot em.I want to be a mother.
Example conversation
Daniel and Noa are talking about their family history.
- דניאל Danielמי הייתה אֵם של סבתו?Mi hayta em shel savto?Who was his grandmother's mother?
- נועה Noaהיא הייתה מורה בבית הספר.Hi hayta moreh bebeit hasfar.She was a teacher at the school.
- דניאל Danielהיא נראית כמו אֵם חזקה בתמונות.Hi nirat kemo em chazaka batmunot.She looks like a strong mother in the photos.
- נועה Noaכן, היא באמת הייתה כזו.Ken, hi be'emet hayta kazo.Yes, she really was.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mother” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
