mama
/ˈmɑ.mɑ/
The English phrase "mother" is translated into Swahili as mama. Wiktionary also lists mzazi.
Meaning: female (human) who gives birth to or parents a child (noun)
Ways to say it
| Swahili | IPA |
|---|---|
| mama | /ˈmɑ.mɑ/ |
| mzazi |
The term mama is the most common and widely used word for mother in Swahili. It can also function as a verb meaning to treat someone as a mother would be expected to.
Which one should you use?
While mama specifically refers to a mother, the term mzazi is a gender-neutral word meaning parent.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
mama is an invariant noun in the N-class, which means it does not change its form to indicate plurality.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈmɑ.mɑ/. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- While mama is used for one's biological mother, in many Swahili-speaking cultures, it is a respectful title used to address any woman of maternal age, even strangers.
- The term mama is shared with many other languages across Africa because it was inherited from the ancient Proto-Bantu language.
- If you want to refer specifically to a biological parent without specifying gender, you use mzazi, which comes from the verb zaa, meaning 'to give birth'.
Examples in context
- Mama wangu ana homa.My mother is sick.This sentence is useful for describing a mother's health using mama.Tatoeba #13155848 by ecorralest101, translation #6357962 by CK
- Mama yangu ananiita "Sammy"I'm called "Sammy" by my mother.This sentence shows how a mother might call someone by a name using mama.Tatoeba #10837831 by ecorralest101, translation #1164899 by cntrational
- Mama yake alimbishia mlango.Her mother knocked on the door.This sentence describes an action taken by a mother using mama.Tatoeba #10825158 by ecorralest101, translation #320889 by CK
- Mama yangu anaitwa Amina.My mother's name is Amina.
- Mama mzazi wako ni mwalimu.Your mother is a teacher.
- Nimepokea barua kutoka kwa mama yangu.I received a letter from my mother.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Said and Zuwena are talking about their families.
- SaidJe, mama yako yuko wapi?Where is your mother?
- ZuwenaMama yangu yuko nyumbani sasa hivi.My mother is at home right now.
- SaidMama yako anapika chakula kitamu sana.Your mother cooks very delicious food.
- ZuwenaAsante, nitamwambia mama.Thank you, I will tell mother.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mother” translations and entries mama, mzazi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mama, mzazi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
