ماں
māñstandard
The standard Urdu word for "mother" is ماں (māñ). In formal speech Pakistanis say والدہ (vālida), and at home children say امی (ammī).
Meaning: female parent (noun)
Ways to say it
| Pakistan | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ماں | māñ | standard |
| والدہ | vālida | formal |
| امی | ammī | everyday, Pakistan |
ماں (māñ) is used in speaking about a mother and in sayings. When addressing her, children usually use امی (ammī).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
والدہ (vālida) is used in writing, in news and when talking respectfully about someone else's mother, as in آپ کی والدہ (āp kī vālida), "your mother".
Did you know?
- A well-known Urdu saying holds that paradise lies at the feet of mothers, and ماں (māñ) is among the first words Urdu-speaking children learn.
Examples in context
- ماں کا دل بہت نرم ہوتا ہےmāñ kā dil bohat narm hotā haiA mother's heart is very soft
- آپ کی والدہ کیسی ہیں؟āp kī vālida kaisī haiñ?How is your mother?
Example conversation
Teacher Mrs. Farzana meets student Hamid's father at a school meeting in Karachi.
- Mrs. Farzanaحامد کی والدہ کیسی ہیں؟ḥāmid kī vālida kaisī haiñ?How is Hamid's mother?
- Hamid's fatherالحمدللہ، وہ ٹھیک ہیں۔alḥamdulillāh, woh ṭhīk haiñ.Thank God, she is fine.
- Mrs. Farzanaانہیں میرا سلام کہیے گا۔unheñ merā salām kahiyegā.Please give her my greetings.
