माँ
māṃeveryday, Hindi
The Hindi word for mother is माँ (māṃ). माता (mātā) is the formal and written form, and माताजी (mātājī) is a respectful way to speak of or to someone's mother.
Meaning: mother (noun)
Ways to say it
| Indian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| माँ | māṃ | everyday, Hindi |
| माता | mātā | formal |
| माताजी | mātājī | respectful |
माँ (māṃ) is warm and fits any situation. माता (mātā) appears in forms, in religious contexts and in phrases such as माता पिता (mātā pitā), mother and father.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Tamil, Bengali, Telugu and other languages of India use different words.
When do people say it?
The mother tongue is called मातृभाषा (mātṛbhāṣā) in Hindi, and the country is often spoken of as भारत माता (bhārat mātā), Mother India.
Did you know?
- माँ (māṃ) is one of the oldest family words in Indian languages, and similar forms are found across the Indo-Aryan family.
Examples in context
- मेरी माँ एक अध्यापिका हैं।merī māṃ ek adhyāpikā haiṃ.My mother is a teacher.
- माता पिता का आदर करो।mātā pitā kā ādar karo.Respect your mother and father.
- माताजी घर पर हैं?mātājī ghar par haiṃ?Is your mother at home?
Example conversation
A neighbor, Mr. Verma, asks young Kabir about his family.
- Mr. Vermaकबीर, तुम्हारी माताजी कैसी हैं?kabīr, tumhārī mātājī kaisī haiṃ?Kabir, how is your mother?
- Kabirवे ठीक हैं, अंकल।ve ṭhīk haiṃ, aṅkal.She is fine, uncle.
- Mr. Vermaउन्हें मेरा नमस्ते कहना।unheṃ merā namaste kahnā.Give her my greetings.
