מוטער
muter[ˈmʊtəʁ]feminine
The Yiddish word for mother is מוטער (muter). Wiktionary also lists מאַמע (mame).
Meaning: female (human) who gives birth to or parents a child (noun)
Ways to say it
| Yiddish | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| מוטער | muter | [ˈmʊtəʁ] (Northeastern, narrow) [ˈmɪtəʁ] (narrow) |
feminine |
| מאַמע | mame | [ˈmamə] (narrow) [ˈmɔmə] (Southeastern, narrow) |
feminine |
The terms used to describe a female who gives birth to or parents a child include both the formal מוטער and the affectionate מאַמע. Additionally, the verb מאַמען can be used to describe treating someone as a mother would be expected to treat them.
Which one should you use?
While מוטער is the standard term for mother, מאַמע is an informal and affectionate version, similar to the English words 'mom' or 'mommy'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The informal form מאַמע has the plural form מאַמעס.
How do you pronounce it?
muter
Did you know?
- Yiddish uses מאַמע in a way that mirrors the emotional intimacy of 'mommy', yet it remains acceptable in many adult social contexts where 'mommy' would sound childish in English.
- The affectionate term מאַמע is thought to be onomatopoeic, meaning it originated from the sounds an infant makes when attempting to say 'mama'.
- The word מוטער shares a common ancestor with the English word 'mother' through the Proto-Indo-European root *méh₂tēr.
Examples in context
- זי איז מײַן מאַמע.She's my mother.This sentence shows how to identify someone as your מאַמע.Tatoeba #12743482 by rul, translation #12742978 by rul
- דו ביסט מײַן מאַמע?Are you my mother?This sentence is useful for asking a question about someone being your מאַמע.Tatoeba #12002603 by shekitten, translation #10091425 by espamatics
- וווּ איז מײַן מאַמע?Where's my mother?This sentence is used for asking about the location of your מאַמע.Tatoeba #13207327 by rul, translation #2254647 by CK
- 79 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two siblings are talking about their relative in a home.
- מרים Miriamמנחם, איז דאָס דײַנע מוטער?Menkhom, iz dos dayne moter?Menkhom, is that your mother?
- מנחם Menahemיא, דאָס איז מײַן מוטער.Ye, dos iz mayn moter.Yes, that is my mother.
- מרים Miriamזי זעט אויס זייער גוט.Zi zet oys zeyer gut.She looks very good.
- מנחם Menahemדאַנק דיר, מרים.Dank dir, Miryam.Thank you, Miryam.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mother” translations and entries מוטער, מאַמע, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries מאַמע, מוטער, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
