ਮਾਂ
mā̃/mä̃ː/feminine
The English word "mother" is translated into Punjabi as ਮਾਂ (mā̃). Wiktionary also lists ਮਾਤਾ (mātā).
Meaning: female (human) who gives birth to or parents a child (noun)
Ways to say it
| Punjabi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ਮਾਂ | mā̃ | /mä̃ː/ | feminine |
| ਮਾਤਾ | mātā | feminine |
The term refers to a female human who gives birth to or parents a child.
Which one should you use?
While ਮਾਂ (mā̃) is the standard word for mother, ਮਾਤਾ (mātā) is a more formal or respectful term often used in religious contexts or formal addresses.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term ਮੰਮੀ (Mummy) is a popular informal word for mother especially among the younger generation in urban areas.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is mā̃.
When do people say it?
In Punjabi, you can show respect to your mother by using the term ਮਾਤਾ ਜੀ (Mata Ji). For a simple and affectionate connection, ਮਾ (Ma) is often used.
Did you know?
- The Sanskrit root of ਮਾਤਾ is the same ancestor for the English word 'mater', which appears in scientific terms like 'maternal' or 'matriarchy'.
- In Punjabi culture, the word ਮਾਂ is frequently used to describe the land or the homeland, treating the Earth itself as a maternal figure.
- In traditional Punjabi households, it is common to refer to a mother as ਬੀਬੀ (Bibi) in certain dialects, a term that blends the roles of mother and respected elder female.
Examples in context
- ਮੈਂ ਮਾਤਾ ਜੀ ਨੂੰ ਮਿਲਣ ਜਾ ਰਿਹਾ ਹਾਂI am going to meet Mata Ji.
- ਮਾ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਖ਼ਿਆਲ ਰੱਖਣਾ ਜੀPlease take care of Maa Ji.
- ਮੰਮੀ, ਮੈਂ ਮੇਰੇ ਦੋਸਤਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਬਾਹਰ ਜਾ ਸਕਦਾ ਹਾਂ?Mummy, can I go out with my friends?
- ਅੰਮੀ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਵਧੀਆ ਹੋ!Ammi, you are the best!
- ਉਹ ਮੇਰੀ ਮਾਂ ਹੈ।Oh merī māṃ hai.She is my mother.
- ਮੇਰੀ ਮਾਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਚੰਗੀ ਹੈ।Merī māṃ bahut chaṅgī hai.My mother is very good.
- ਮਾਂ ਦਾ ਪਿਆਰ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਵੱਖਰਾ ਹੁੰਦਾ ਹੈ।Māṃ dā piār sab tōṃ vakhra hundā hai.A mother's love is different from everything else.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their families.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ, ਤੇਰੀ ਮਾਂ ਕਿਵੇਂ ਹੈ?Gurpreet, teri maan kivein hai?Gurpreet, how is your mother?
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ, ਮੇਰੀ ਮਾਂ ਬਿਲਕੁਲ ਠੀਕ ਹੈ।Manpreet, meri maan bilkul theek hai.Manpreet, my mother is perfectly fine.
- ਮਨਪ੍ਰੀਤ Manpreetਉਹ ਕੀ ਕਰਦੀ ਹੈ?Oh ki kardi hai?What does she do?
- ਗੁਰਪ੍ਰੀਤ Gurpreetਮੇਰੀ ਮਾਂ ਇੱਕ ਅਧਿਆਪਕ ਹੈ।Meri maan ik adhyapak hai.My mother is a teacher.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mother” translations and entries ਮਾਂ, ਮਾਤਾ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ਮਾਂ, ਮਾਤਾ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
