anya
[ˈɒɲɒ]
The Hungarian word for mother is anya.
anya is the most common and neutral term used to refer to a mother.
Meaning: female (human) who gives birth to or parents a child (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While anya is the standard term, you may encounter more informal or affectionate variations. Anyu is an informal, diminutive form often used by children or when speaking affectionately to a mother. Additionally, mami is a common informal way to say "mommy" or "mom" in casual settings.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In Hungarian, you can indicate possession by adding suffixes to anya. To say "my mother", use anyám by adding the suffix -m. To say "your mother" (singular/informal), use anyád by adding the suffix -d. For the plural possessive form meaning "your mothers" (informal/singular "you"), use anyáid.
Did you know?
- The word anya is frequently used in Hungarian profanity as a central component of some of the language's most complex and creative swear words.
- While anya is neutral, using the possessive anyád outside of a literal family context is often perceived as a direct and aggressive provocation.
- The word anya is part of a linguistic family that is completely unrelated to most European languages, meaning its similarity to other words is purely coincidental or ancient.
Examples in context
- Nem voltam jó anya.I was not a good mother.This sentence shows the use of anya to describe a personal state.Tatoeba #5407898 by felvideki, translation #320620 by CK
- Mary egy anya, nem?Mary is a mother, isn't she?This sentence uses anya to identify someone's role.Tatoeba #7893451 by jegaevi, translation #7737417 by CK
- Anya főz a konyhában.Mother is cooking in the kitchen.This sentence uses anya as a subject performing an action.Tatoeba #3227386 by mraz, translation #1232200 by falcons84
- Köszönöm, anya.Thank you, mother.
- Gyere, mami, játszunk együtt!Come, Mom, let's play together!
- Anyu, mit főztél ma?Mom, what did you cook today?
- Megyek hozzád, mama!I'm coming to you, Mama!
- Mamaika, mesélj el egy történetet!Mother, tell me a story!
- 71 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Éva and Zoltán are discussing who to call for dinner.
- ÉvaHívjuk már az anyát?Shall we call mother now?
- ZoltánMég nem, anya most dolgozik.Not yet, mother is working now.
- ÉvaMikor érkezik haza anya?When does mother arrive home?
- ZoltánSzerintem hat órakor lesz itt.I think she will be here at six o'clock.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mother” translations and entries anya, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
