tu mamá
/tu mama/from spelling rules
The English phrase "your mom" can be translated into Spanish as tu mamá.
In a general sense, tu mamá can be used as an insult.
Meaning: a general-purpose insult (intj)
Which one should you use?
While tu mamá is the standard way to say "your mom" in an informal context, su mamá is used when addressing someone with the formal "usted".
Is it said differently in some regions?
tu mamá is an informal regional variation of tu madre in some Latin American countries. In some Latin American countries, mamá is a word for "mom".
How do you pronounce it?
/tu mama/
Did you know?
- In Spain, insults involving the mother often follow a specific structural pattern of me cago en…, which literally translates to 'I defecate on…', a phrasing not commonly used in Latin American variations of the phrase.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, mentioning a person's mother as an insult is far more severe than the English 'your mom' joke. It can be perceived as a profound lack of respect and a direct challenge to a person's honor.
- In certain slang contexts, 'tu mamá' can be used almost like a punctuation mark or an exclamation of disbelief rather than a literal attack on a parent.
Examples in context
- ¿Qué dijo tu mamá?What did your mom say?This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase tu mamá in a question.Tatoeba #6673570 by UsuarioX, translation #3573387 by Hybrid
- ¿Sabe manejar tu mamá?Does your mom know how to drive?Tatoeba #1495231 by hayastan, translation #10851976 by Luornu
- ¡No hables así de tu mamá!Don't talk like that about your mom!This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase tu mamá in a command.Tatoeba #12293392 by Serrot, translation #12772280 by rul
- ¿Cómo está su madre?How is your mom?
- ¿Dónde está tu madre?Where is your mom?
- ¿Has hablado con tu mamá hoy?Have you talked to your mom today?
- Háblale a la mamá tuya para que sepa lo que está pasandoTalk to your mom so she knows what's going on
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are arguing during a video game.
- María¡Perdiste otra vez, Javier!You lost again, Javier!
- Javier¡Cállate, María!Shut up, María!
- María¡Tu mamá!Your mom!
- JavierQué inmadura eres.You are so immature.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
