ta mère
/ta mɛʁ/
The English phrase 'your mom' can be translated into French as ta mère.
In a slang context, ta mère is often used as a standalone exclamation or a way to dismiss someone, similar to how 'your mom' is used in English internet slang. In aggressive street slang, it is sometimes appended to other insults or commands, such as ta gueule, ta mère, to increase the level of disrespect.
Meaning: a general-purpose insult (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the possessive adjective ta (your, singular/informal) and the noun mère (mother).
Which one should you use?
While ta mère is the standard form for the insult, votre mère uses the formal or plural possessive adjective and is less common in this specific slang context.
How do you pronounce it?
/ta mɛʁ/
Did you know?
- The aggressive slang version ta mère is actually a shortened version of the much more vulgar phrase nique ta mère, which contains a verb for sexual intercourse.
- In some French dialects, ta mère is used as a general exclamation of surprise or frustration that has nothing to do with someone's actual parent.
- The word mère shares a deep linguistic root with the English word 'mother' as both descend from the Proto-Indo-European word méh₂tēr.
Examples in context
- Où est ta mère ?Where's your mom?This is useful for asking where someone's mother is.Tatoeba #3628063 by fleur74, translation #2254687 by CK
- Ta mère a raison.Your mom is right.This is useful for stating that someone's mother is right.Tatoeba #3293473 by Blabla, translation #10798537 by Amastan
- Ta mère est cool.Your mom is cool.This is useful for saying someone's mother is cool.Tatoeba #12666692 by Olcyx, translation #3431205 by CK
- Madame Dupont, comment va votre mère?Mrs. Dupont, how is your mom?
- Je vais chez ta mère ce soir, ça te dit?I'm going to your mom's tonight, want to join?
- 33 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are playing a competitive video game.
- GabrielJe t'ai encore battu !I beat you again!
- ManonTais-toi, ta mère !Shut up, your mom!
- GabrielArrête de dire ça.Stop saying that.
- ManonC'est juste pour rire.It's just for laughs.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “your mom” translations and entries ta mère, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mère, ta, ta mère, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
