твоя мама
tvoya mama
The Russian phrase for "your mom" is твоя мама (tvoya mama).
It is used as a general-purpose insult.
Meaning: a general-purpose insult (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the possessive pronoun твоя (your) and the noun мама (mom).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Твоя мама is the most common informal way to say 'your mom' in Russian. In contrast, Ваша мама is a common formal way to say "your mom" in Russian, but using the formal register would strip the phrase of its typical insulting or provocative intent in a playground context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes depending on its role in a sentence. When expressing possession or using certain prepositions, the phrase changes to the genitive case твоей мамы. When 'your mom' is the direct object of a verb, it changes to the accusative form твою маму.
How do you pronounce it?
tvoya mama
Did you know?
- In some contexts, calling someone's mother into a conversation is a way to challenge their honor, which is a much deeper social provocation in Russian culture than the English 'your mom' jokes.
- The word мама is cognate with the German word Muhme, which actually means 'aunt' rather than 'mother'.
- In Russian slang, the phrase is often expanded into much more aggressive, vulgar forms that involve different verbs, moving far beyond the simple dictionary meaning of 'your mother'.
Examples in context
- И твоя мама тоже.And your mom also.This sentence shows how to use твоя мама when adding someone else to a statement.Tatoeba #2596913 by odexed, translation #434222 by lukaszpp
- Что твоя мама скажет?What will your mom say?This sentence uses твоя мама in a question about what a person's mother might say.Tatoeba #5975174 by marafon, translation #5970906 by Hybrid
- Что сказала твоя мама?What did your mom say?This sentence uses твоя мама in a question about what a person's mother said.Tatoeba #3579152 by marafon, translation #3573387 by Hybrid
- Как поживает ваша мама?How is your mom doing?
- Спроси у твоей мамы, она знает.Ask your mom, she knows.
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two young people are arguing during a game.
- Александр AleksandrТы совсем не умеешь играть!Ty sovsem ne umeesh igrat!You don't know how to play at all!
- Мария MariaТвоя мама!Tvoyá mama!Your mom!
- Александр AleksandrЧто ты сейчас сказал?Shto ty seychas skazal?What did you just say?
- Мария MariaТы всё слышал, Александр.Ty vsyo slyshal, Aleksandr.You heard everything, Aleksandr.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries мама, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
