はは
hahaown mother, formal
In hiragana, "mother" is はは (haha) when you talk about your own mother to others. To address her or talk about someone else's mother, use おかあさん (okāsan). It is also called ははおや (hahaoya).
Meaning: mother (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| はは | haha | own mother, formal |
| おかあさん | okāsan | polite, everyday |
| ははおや | hahaoya | formal, written |
Which one should you use?
Japanese chooses between inside and outside. はは (haha) is humble and used for your family, while おかあさん (okāsan) is respectful for someone else's mother or when you speak to her. ははおや (hahaoya) is a written word for "mother" as a role.
How do you pronounce it?
The word はは (haha) is two short syllables. The vowel in おかあさん (okāsan) is held for two beats.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not call your own mother はは to her face. Say おかあさん (okāsan) when you talk to her.
Did you know?
- The pair はは (haha) and ちち (chichi), "mother" and "father", are used about your own parents, while おかあさん and おとうさん are used for others.
Examples in context
- ははは かんごしです。Haha wa kangoshi desu.My mother is a nurse.
- おかあさんは おげんきですか。Okāsan wa ogenki desu ka.How is your mother?
- ははおやとして がんばる。Hahaoya to shite ganbaru.I do my best as a mother.
Example conversation
Yui talks with her teacher Mr. Hata at a school meeting.
- Mr. Hataおかあさんは なにを していますか。Okāsan wa nani o shite imasu ka.What does your mother do?
- 結衣 Yuiははは かいしゃいんです。Haha wa kaishain desu.My mother is an office worker.
- Mr. Hataそうですか。Sō desu ka.I see.
