אמא שלך
/ˈ(ʔ)i.ma ʃa.ˈlaχ/word by wordfeminine
The phrase "your mom" in Hebrew is translated as אמא שלך. Wiktionary also lists אמאשך (Imashkha).
Meaning: a general-purpose insult (intj)
Ways to say it
| Hebrew | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| אמא שלך | /ˈ(ʔ)i.ma ʃa.ˈlaχ/ (Modern Israeli, word by word) | feminine | |
| אמאשך | Imashkha | feminine |
This phrase can be used as a general-purpose insult.
What does it mean word for word?
אמא שלך is composed of אמא (mother) and the possessive suffix שלך (your/of you).
Which one should you use?
The form אמא שלך is used when addressing a female listener. The shortened form אמאשך (Imashkha) is also a feminine version of the phrase.
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms provided are feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈ(ʔ)i.ma ʃa.ˈlaχ/. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- While the word שלך is a possessive pronoun, its ancient root is tied to the concept of 'throwing' or 'plunging'. This creates a strange linguistic connection between 'ownership' and 'physical movement' in the word's DNA.
- Using this phrase in a heated argument can escalate a situation much faster than in English, because it is often viewed as a direct strike against a person's family honor.
- Even though the phrase is an insult, the word אמא itself remains one of the most sacred and respected words in Hebrew culture, creating a sharp linguistic contrast when used in a slur.
Examples in context
- שם בדיוק פגשתי את אמא שלך.That's where your mom and I met.This sentence is useful for showing a literal, neutral use of אמא שלך.Tatoeba #13050464 by fekundulo, translation #6844876 by CK
- אמא שלך כל כך שמנה שיש לה אזורי זמן משלה.Your mom is so fat that she has her own timezones.This sentence is an example of using the phrase as an insult.Tatoeba #11575728 by fekundulo, translation #2373087 by Piteris
- זאת אמא שלך?Is that your mom?This sentence shows a literal, neutral way to ask about someone's mother using אמא שלך.Tatoeba #5449487 by fekundulo, translation #4134490 by CK
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are arguing during a video game.
- עגור Adiאתה ממש גרוע במשחק הזה!ata mamash garua ba-mishak ha-ze!You are really bad at this game!
- דניאל Danielתסתכלי על עצמך, עגור!tistakli al atzmekh, Agur!Look at yourself, Agur!
- עגור Adiאמא שלך!ima shelkha!Your mom!
- דניאל Danielבאמת? זה כל מה שיש לך?be'emet? ze kol ma she-yesh lakh?Really? Is that all you've got?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “your mom” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (אמא, שלך) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries אמא, שלך, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
