c'est ma mère
The English phrase "this is my mother" is translated into French as c'est ma mère.
c'est ma mère is a sentence used to introduce your mother to another person.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, c'est ma mère means "it is my mother", but it is the standard way to say "this is my mother" during an introduction.
Which one should you use?
While c'est ma mère is used for introductions, Voici ma mère (Here is my mother) serves as a slightly more formal alternative for the same purpose.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the singular demonstrative c'est (a combination of ce and est) because you are introducing one person. If you were introducing multiple mothers, such as in a blended family context, you would use ce sont mes mères.
Did you know?
- In certain very informal or slang contexts, a French speaker might refer to their mother as ma daronne, though you should never use this phrase when making a formal introduction.
- While c'est ma mère is the standard introduction, a French speaker might reply to this introduction by kissing the mother on both cheeks, a gesture known as la bise.
- In French, the word mère is used in the phrase ma mère to describe a biological mother, but it also appears in the term ma mère-grand, an archaic and affectionate way to say 'my grandmother'.
Examples in context
- C'est ma mère.This is my mother.Tatoeba #544849 by sacredceltic, translation #413771 by Scott
- C'est ma mère. Elle s'appelle Béatrice.This is my mother. Her name is Beatrice.Tatoeba #3940138 by maydoo, translation #463316 by lukaszpp
Example conversation
Gabriel introduces his mother to his friend Emma.
- GabrielEmma, c'est ma mère.Emma, this is my mother.
- EmmaEnchantée de vous rencontrer.Nice to meet you.
- GabrielElle vient d'arriver.She just arrived.
- EmmaBienvenue ici !Welcome here!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
