mam
/mam/feminine
The Welsh word for mother is mam.
mam is used to refer to a female human who has given birth to or parents a child. It is also found in the compound word mamiaith, which means mother tongue.
Meaning: female (human) who gives birth to or parents a child (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term mamiaith (mother tongue) is a combination of mam (mother) and iaith (language).
Which one should you use?
Additionally, the term Mamgu is used when referring specifically to a grandmother.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
mam is the common, informal way to say mother, similar to how 'mom' is used in English.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some parts of North Wales, Mamu is used as an informal way of saying 'Mom'.
How do you pronounce it?
/mam/
Did you know?
- The word mam is not the original ancestral word for mother in the language's lineage. It was a 'baby talk' word that eventually replaced the older Proto-Celtic term mātīr.
- Welsh uses mam in expressions regarding nature and the earth, similar to 'Mother Nature'. This extends the word's meaning from a human parent to a cosmic provider.
Examples in context
- Arabeg yw fy mamiaith.Arabic is my mother tongue.This sentence demonstrates the use of mam within the compound word mamiaith.Tatoeba #1978884 by Sisial, translation #1807927 by Ameer
- Dw i'n mynd i weld Mam yfory.I'm going to see my mother tomorrow.
- Diolch, Mam, am y brecwast blasus.Thank you, Mom, for the delicious breakfast.
- Mae fy mam yn hapus.My mother is happy.
- Mae Rhiannon yn mam dda.Rhiannon is a good mother.
Example conversation
Owain is talking to Rhiannon about his family.
- OwainMae fy mam yn coginio.My mother is cooking.
- RhiannonYdy hi'n gwneud bwyd da?Does she make good food?
- OwainYdy, mae mam yn wych.Yes, mother is great.
- RhiannonHefyd, mae hi'n bryderus.Also, she is caring.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mother” translations and entries mam, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mam, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
