What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 母 (haha), which refers to one's own mother when speaking to others, the particle が (ga), which acts as a subject marker to identify the mother as the person performing the action and 笑った (waratta), the plain, informal past tense form of the verb meaning "laughed".
Which one should you use?
The term haha is used specifically to refer to your own mother when speaking to others. In contrast, okāsan is used when addressing your own mother directly or when you are referring to someone else's mother.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a polite or formal setting, you should use 母が笑いました instead of the plain form. Other variations include the informal Watashi no haha wa waratta or Watashi no okāsan wa waratta, and the formal Watashi no haha wa waraimashita or Watashi no okāsan wa waraimashita.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle が (ga) identifies the mother as the subject who performed the action of laughing. The verb 笑った (waratta) is the plain, informal past tense of the verb warau (to laugh).
How do you pronounce it?
haha ga waratta
Did you know?
- Using 母 (haha) to refer to your own mother is an example of 'humbling' language. By lowering the status of your own family member, you show respect to the person you are speaking to.
- When typing the verb 笑った (waratta) in digital messages or social media, Japanese speakers often replace the word with the single character w or a string of them, like ｗｗｗ, to represent laughter.
- The verb 笑う (warau) can mean both 'to laugh' and 'to smile'. Depending on the context, 母が笑った could describe your mother laughing out loud or simply giving a gentle smile.
Examples in context
- 昨日、母が笑った。Kinou, haha ga waratta.Yesterday, my mother laughed.
- 私の冗談を聞いて、母が笑った。Watashi no joudan o kiite, haha ga waratta.My mother laughed after hearing my joke.
- そのテレビを見て、母が笑った。Sono terebi o mite, haha ga waratta.My mother laughed watching that TV show.
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are talking about a funny video Misaki showed her mother.
- 美咲 Misakiこの動画、母が笑ったよ。Kono douga, haha ga waratta yo.My mother laughed at this video.
- 蓮 Renそれはよかったね。Sore wa yokatta ne.That's good to hear.
- 美咲 Misaki本当に面白かったみたい。Hontou ni omoshirokatta mitai.It seems it was really funny.
- 蓮 Ren美咲のセンスはいいんだね。Misaki no sensu wa ii ndane.You have good taste, Misaki.
