matka
/matka/feminine
The English word "mother" is translated into Slovak as matka.
The term refers to a female human who gives birth to or parents a child.
Meaning: female (human) who gives birth to or parents a child (noun)
Which one should you use?
While matka is the standard noun for "mother", mama is a much more common and informal way to address one's own mother or to refer to her affectionately. In a family context, using matka can sound clinical or detached compared to the emotional closeness associated with mama.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of matka is matky. When matka is the direct object of a sentence (the accusative case), the ending changes to matku. When it is the indirect object (the dative case), the ending changes to matke.
How do you pronounce it?
/matka/
Did you know?
- In Slovak, the word matka is also used to describe the 'mother' or female part of a mechanical device, such as a nut that fits onto a bolt.
- While matka refers to a human mother, the word matka also refers to a 'mother' yeast culture or a sourdough starter used in baking.
- Because matka sounds clinical, calling your own mother matka in a casual setting might be interpreted as a sign of anger or a deliberate attempt to create emotional distance.
Examples in context
- Aj ja som matka.I'm a mother, too.This sentence uses matka to express that the speaker is also a mother.Tatoeba #12631131 by Dominika7, translation #11635082 by CK
- To je moja matka.This is my mother.This sentence uses matka to identify a person as the speaker's mother.Tatoeba #9918979 by Dominika7, translation #413771 by Scott
- Čo robí tvoja matka?What kind of work does your mother do?This sentence uses matka to ask about a mother's occupation.Tatoeba #10308453 by Dominika7, translation #8856179 by moxy
- Mami, dnes sme mali v škole zaujímavú hodinu.Mom, we had an interesting class today at school.
- Idem von s maminkou na nákupy.I'm going shopping with my mom.
- Maminka ma najradšej.My mom loves me the most.
- Moja mama je veľmi šikovná.My mom is very talented.
- Mama varí výborne.Mom cooks deliciously.
- 40 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Peter and Barbora are talking about their families.
- PeterKde teraz býva tvoja matka?Where does your mother live now?
- BarboraMoja matka býva v Bratislave.My mother lives in Bratislava.
- PeterJe to veľmi pekné mesto.It is a very beautiful city.
- BarboraÁno, ona tam veľmi rada býva.Yes, she likes living there very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mother” translations and entries matka, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
