māter
feminine
The English word 'mother' is translated into Latin as māter. Wiktionary also lists genetrīx.
Meaning: female (human) who gives birth to or parents a child (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | Note |
|---|---|
| māter | feminine |
| genetrīx | feminine |
The word māter refers to a female (human) who gives birth to or parents a child.
Which one should you use?
While māter is the standard word for mother, genetrīx is a more formal or technical term meaning 'progenitor' or 'she who generates/gives birth'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of māter is matrēs. When māter is the direct object of a sentence, such as 'I love mother', the form changes to matrem.
Did you know?
- The term māter appears in the phrase alma māter, meaning 'nourishing mother', which English speakers now use to refer to their university.
- Roman children often addressed their mother as mamma, a nursery word that is a direct ancestor to the English word 'mama'.
- In some ancient Roman contexts, the term māter was used as a respectful title for high-ranking priestesses or even the Emperor's mother, effectively turning a family term into a political one.
Examples in context
- Quot ōva ēmit māter?How many eggs did Mother buy?This sentence is useful for asking about the quantity of eggs a māter bought.Tatoeba #5029743 by alexmarcelo, translation #5029537 by Choctaw_Irish
- Māter Thōmae hunc vīcum incolit.Tom's mother lives in this village.This sentence shows how to describe a māter living in a specific village.Tatoeba #11152867 by alexmarcelo, translation #2947850 by Hybrid
- Māter sum.I'm a mother.This sentence is a way to state 'I am a māter'.Tatoeba #10527278 by Akenaseryan, translation #7022770 by shekitten
- Gratias, materThank you, mother
- Veneranda genitrixRespected mother
- Vale, mammaGoodbye, mother
- Te amo, matercula mea!I love you, my dear little mother!
- Vir clarus matrem suam amabat.The famous man loved his mother.
- Mamma, non possum dormire!Mom, I can't sleep!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucia and Gaius are talking about their families.
- LuciaUbi est tua māter, Gaie?Where is your mother, Gaius?
- GaiusMea māter in hortō est.My mother is in the garden.
- LuciaTua māter bene vīvit?Is your mother doing well?
- GaiusIta, māter mea valet.Yes, my mother is healthy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mother” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
