Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ма́ма | máma | colloquial, feminine | |
| мать | matʹ | [matʲ] (narrow) | feminine |
| ма́тушка | mátuška | feminine | |
| мама́ша | mamáša | derogatory, feminine |
The terms for mother in Russian vary significantly depending on whether you are describing a biological relationship, addressing a parent affectionately or using a derogatory tone.
Which one should you use?
мать is the formal or biological term for 'mother', whereas ма́ма is the affectionate, everyday term used by children and adults alike. While ма́ма is the standard informal way to say 'mom' or 'mama', ма́тушка is an archaic or folkloric form used in fairy tales or to address an elderly woman with great respect or endearment. In contrast, мама́ша is a derogatory or disrespectful way to refer to a mother, often implying she is unpleasant or lacks maternal dignity.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
мать is used in formal, legal or official contexts, such as in official documents or when discussing biological relationships in a serious tone. ма́ма is the colloquial and affectionate standard for everyday use. For an even more affectionate and slightly childish tone, one might use мамочка.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, маманька is used as an informal term for mother.
How do you pronounce it?
máma
When do people say it?
The words used to describe a mother can also be used to address grandmothers in Russian. The phrase Спасибо, мама is a common way to say 'Thank you, mom'.
Did you know?
- Russian has a specific linguistic phenomenon called 'mat', a complex system of slang and profanity, which is etymologically linked to the word мать.
- In Russian culture, the term матушка is not only for mothers but was historically used to address Orthodox nuns or priest's wives.
- The Russian word мать and the English word 'mother' both trace back to the same prehistoric root *méh₂tēr from Proto-Indo-European.
Examples in context
- Я вам не мать.I'm not your mother.This sentence is useful for practicing the formal term мать.Tatoeba #8815696 by marafon, translation #1943924 by Spamster
- Да, я её мать.Yes, I'm her mother.Tatoeba #12887442 by marafon, translation #13414091 by frpzzd
- Да, я их мать.Yes, I'm their mother.Tatoeba #13414205 by marafon, translation #13414260 by frpzzd
- 1129 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Andrey is asking Ekaterina about her family photo.
- Андрей AndreyКто эта женщина на фото?Kto eta zhenshchina na foto?Who is this woman in the photo?
- Екатерина EkaterinaЭто моя ма́ма.Eto moya mama.This is my mother.
- Андрей AndreyОна очень красивая.Ona ochen krasivaya.She is very beautiful.
- Екатерина EkaterinaСпасибо, я ей это скажу.Spasibo, ya ey eto skazhu.Thank you, I will tell her that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mother” translations and entries мать, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries мать, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
