माता
mātā
Mother in Sanskrit is माता (mātā).
माता means mother, the woman who gives birth to or raises a child.
Meaning: female (human) who gives birth to or parents a child (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
माता is the form used for the subject of a sentence. Sanskrit nouns change their endings for case, so the word takes other forms in other positions.
How do you pronounce it?
It is pronounced mātā, with both vowels long, like the a in father.
When do people say it?
The same word is used in Hindi and other languages of India, often as a respectful word for mother and in the names of goddesses.
Did you know?
- The word mātā is a cognate of the English 'mother', both descending from the Proto-Indo-European root méh₂tēr. This linguistic link exists because Sanskrit and English share a common ancestor from thousands of years ago.
- The term can be used as a cosmic title, specifically as an epithet for 'Śakti', the primordial energy of the universe, elevating the concept of motherhood from a human role to a universal force.
- In some traditional Indian contexts, the word माता is added to the names of respected older women or teachers to create a title of kinship and reverence.
Examples in context
- माता गृहं गच्छति।mātā grihaṃ gacchati.The mother goes home.
- एषा मम माता।eṣā mama mātā.This is my mother.
- माता स्नेहं ददाति।mātā snehaṃ dadāti.The mother gives love.
Example conversation
Aditya and Mira are talking about their families.
- आदित्य Adityaकुत्र अस्ति तव माता?kutra asti tava mātā?Where is your mother?
- मीरा Miraमम माता गृहे अस्ति।mama mātā gṛhe asti.My mother is at home.
- आदित्य Adityaकिं सा पठति?kiṃ sā paṭhati?Is she reading?
- मीरा Miraआम्, माता पुस्तकं पठति।ām, mātā pustakaṃ paṭhati.Yes, mother is reading a book.
