How to Say "Mother" in Marathi

आई

āī/ai/feminine

The Marathi word for mother is आई (āī). Wiktionary also lists माता (mātā).

Meaning: female (human) who gives birth to or parents a child (noun)

Ways to say it

“mother” in Marathi
Marathi	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA	Note
आई	āī	/ai/	feminine
माता	mātā	/ma.t̪a/	feminine

आई is the most common way to address or refer to one's mother in a domestic or social setting.

The form माता is a highly formal or literary term, often used in religious, poetic or very formal contexts.

The pronunciation is /ai/. The sound is like the /i/ in the English word happ[y].

Marathi speakers often use the phrase आई शपथ to swear a solemn oath, essentially saying 'I swear on my mother'.
In Marathi culture, calling someone आई can be an act of deep respect or affection toward an elder woman, even if there is no biological relationship.
While माता is a formal version of 'mother', it shares the same ancient Proto-Indo-European root as the English word 'mother'.

ही माझी आई आहे.
This is my mother.
This sentence is useful for demonstrating the use of आई to identify one's mother.
Tatoeba #2654124 by sabretou, translation #413771 by Scott
मेरी एक आई आहे.
Mary is a mother.
This sentence is useful for demonstrating the use of आई when stating someone is a mother.
Tatoeba #2675934 by sabretou, translation #2280381 by CK
ती माझी आई आहे.
She is my mother.
Tatoeba #5377576 by sabretou, translation #5337913 by Morgengrauen
328 more sentences on Tatoeba

Rahul and Sayali are talking on the phone about family.

राहुल Rahul

तुझी आई कशी आहे?
tujhi aai kashi aahe?
How is your mother?
सायली Sayali

माझी आई मजेत आहे.
majhi aai majet aahe.
My mother is doing well.
राहुल Rahul

तिला माझा नमस्कार सांग.
tila majha namaskar saang.
Give her my regards.
सायली Sayali

हो, नक्कीच सांगते.
ho, nakkich saangte.
Yes, I will definitely tell her.

Sources

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