你妈
nǐ mā
The English phrase "your mama" is translated into Chinese as 你妈 (nǐ mā).
In Chinese internet slang and casual speech, 你妈 is often used as a dismissive or aggressive retort to shut down an argument or to mock someone. While the individual words are neutral, using the phrase as a standalone exclamation or insult makes it highly informal and offensive slang.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 你 (nǐ), meaning 'you/your' and 妈 (mā), meaning 'mother'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
你妈 is considered highly informal and is used as offensive slang. For a straightforward and common casual way to say "your mother", you can use 你妈妈. If you wish to be formal and respectful, use 您的母亲.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the possessive particle 的 to create 你妈的 (nǐ mā de) is a very common way to form a stronger, more versatile profanity used as an interjection, which literally translates to "your mother's [thing]".
How do you pronounce it?
nǐ mā
Did you know?
- In some dialects and online gaming communities, the phrase is shortened to just the character 艹 (originally meaning 'grass') to mimic the sound of a common swear word involving the mother.
- Chinese culture places a high premium on filial piety, making insults targeting parents like 你妈 significantly more taboo and socially volatile than 'your mama' jokes in the US.
- While the English 'your mama' often requires a verb like 'is fat' to make sense, the Chinese version 你妈 can function as a complete, grammatically standalone sentence that shuts down any conversation.
Examples in context
- 您的母亲在家吗?Is your mother at home?
- 你妈妈做的饭很美味!The food your mother cooked is delicious!
- 你妈妈真的很了不起!Your mother is truly amazing!
Example conversation
Two friends are jokingly arguing over a video game.
- 梓涵 Zihan你太菜了！Nǐ tài cài le!You are so bad at this!
- 浩然 Haoran你妈！Nǐ mā!Your mama!
- 梓涵 Zihan你竟然敢这样说！Nǐ jìngrán gǎn zhèyàng shuō!I can't believe you dared to say that!
- 浩然 Haoran哈哈，开个玩笑。Hāhā, kāi gè wánxiào.Haha, just joking.
