tua madre
/ˈtu.a ˈma.dre/word by word
The English phrase "your mother" translates to Italian as tua madre.
This phrase is used to refer to the mother of the person you are speaking to. However, it can also function as an insult.
Meaning: insult (intj)
How do you pronounce it?
The first of the four syllables is stressed.
Did you know?
- If you were to use the more formal Sua madre instead of tua madre, the insult would technically target the listener's mother in a formal register, which creates a bizarre linguistic contradiction.
- The word madre is also used in Italian to describe the 'mother' of a pearl or the 'mother' yeast used in traditional sourdough baking, called lievito madre.
- Insults involving tua madre are considered significantly more offensive in Italy than similar jokes in English. They are often viewed as a direct attack on the family's honor rather than a playful jab.
Examples in context
- Lei è tua madre?Is she your mother?This sentence is useful for asking if a person is the mother of the person being addressed.Tatoeba #1486678 by Guybrush88, translation #310268 by CK
- Tua madre è qui?Is your mother here?This sentence is useful for asking if the mother of the person being addressed is present.Tatoeba #5533662 by Guybrush88, translation #3823889 by CK
- Tua madre mi ama.Your mother loves me.This sentence is useful for stating that the mother of the person being addressed has affection for the speaker.Tatoeba #2978865 by Guybrush88, translation #2978864 by CM
- Ho avuto il piacere di conoscere sua madre.I had the pleasure of meeting your mother.
- Ciao Marco, come sta tua madre?Hi Marco, how is your mother doing?
- Stasera ho visto tua mamma al supermercato.I saw your mom at the supermarket tonight.
- Domenico, dimmi come sta la tua mammina.Domenico, tell me how your mom is doing.
- 158 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are arguing during a heated video game match.
- MartinaHai perso di nuovo!You lost again!
- FrancescoZitta, è stato un errore!Shut up, it was a mistake!
- MartinaTua madre!Your mother!
- FrancescoMa non osare!Don't you dare!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (tua, madre) and can differ in connected speech.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
