إم
emmLebanese, everyday
The Lebanese word for mother is إم (emm), and إمي (emmi) means "my mother". It is also called والدة (walde) and ماما (mama).
Meaning: a female parent (noun)
Ways to say it
| Lebanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| إم | emm | Lebanese, everyday |
| والدة | walde | formal |
| ماما | mama | everyday, casual |
People say إمي (emmi) when they talk about their own mother and ماما (mama) when they speak to her. والدة (walde) is the formal word used in documents and polite speech, as in والدتي (waldeti), "my mother".
When do people say it?
Mother's Day in Lebanon is celebrated on 21 March, the first day of spring, and children bring flowers to their إم (emm).
Did you know?
- Lebanese parents are often called by their eldest son's name, so a mother can be إم كريم (emm Karim), "mother of Karim".
Examples in context
- إم كريم ست طيبة.emm Karim sitt tayybe.Karim's mother is a kind lady.
Example conversation
Two classmates, Jad and Omar, talk about their mothers after school.
- Jadإمك شو بتشتغل؟emmak shu betechteghel?What does your mother do?
- Omarإمي معلمة.emmi mou3allme.My mother is a teacher.
- Jadإمي بالبيت.emmi bil-bayt.My mother stays at home.
