அம்மா
ammā/ɐmːɑː/
The English word mother is translated into Tamil, with the default form being அம்மா (ammā). Wiktionary also lists தாய் (tāy) and அன்னை (aṉṉai).
Meaning: female (human) who gives birth to or parents a child (noun)
Ways to say it
| Tamil | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| அம்மா | ammā | /ɐmːɑː/ |
| தாய் | tāy | /t̪ɑːj/ |
| அன்னை | aṉṉai | /ɐnːɐɪ̯/ |
| யாய் | yāy | |
| ஆய் | āy | /ɑːj/ |
In many Tamil-speaking households, அம்மா is used not just for one's own mother, but can also be used as a respectful way to address any older woman or even as an exclamation.
Which one should you use?
While அம்மா is used as a direct address to one's own mother, the other forms like தாய் or அன்னை are rarely used to call out to a mother in a household setting.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
அம்மா can be used as a casual term for mother in day-to-day conversations. தாய் is a formal and literary term for 'mother', often used in writing or official contexts. அன்னை is a highly poetic and respectful term for 'mother', frequently found in literature and classical Tamil.
How do you pronounce it?
ammā (/ɐmːɑː/)
Did you know?
- Tamil has a distinct word, அம்மை, which shares the same linguistic root as அம்மா but can also refer to smallpox in a medical context.
- In Tamil, the word தாய் is also used to describe a 'motherland' or the origin of a language, such as தமிழ் தாய் for the personification of the Tamil language.
- The term அம்மா can be used as an interjection to express surprise, frustration or distress, similar to how some English speakers use 'Oh my!'
Examples in context
- என் அம்மா இப்போது வீட்டில் இருக்கிறார்.en ammā ippōtu vīṭṭil irukkirār.My mother is at home now.
- அம்மா எனக்குப் பிடித்த உணவைச் சமைக்கிறார்.ammā enakkup piṭitta uṇavaic camaikkiṟār.Mother is cooking my favorite food.
Example conversation
Priya and Arun are talking on the phone about family.
- அருண் Arunபிரியா, உன் அம்மா எப்படி இருக்கிறார்கள்?piriyā, un ammā eppaṭi irukkirārkaḷ?Priya, how is your mother?
- பிரியா Priyaஅம்மா மிகவும் நலமாக இருக்கிறார்கள், அருண்.ammā mikavum nalāmāka irukkirārkaḷ, aruṇ.Mother is very well, Arun.
- அருண் Arunஅதை கேட்டதில் எனக்கு மகிழ்ச்சி.atai kēṭṭatil enakkup makilci.I am happy to hear that.
- பிரியா Priyaநன்றி, அருண்.naṉṟi, aruṇ.Thank you, Arun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mother” translations and entries அம்மா, தாய், அன்னை, ஆய், CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries அன்னை, அம்மா, தாய், CC BY-SA 4.0.
