German word

Mama

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈmama/

Meaning

  • feminine nounmom

Example

Hat deine Mama Zeit?

Does your mom have time?

Illustration for Mama (mom)

More examples

Heute esse ich mit Mama zu Abend.

Today I am having dinner with mom.

Core concept

A child or family member speaking directly to the mother with a short, intimate form of her family role.

Common phrases

  • mit Mama sprechen

    speak with mom

  • bei Mama anrufen

    phone mom

  • bei Mama zu Besuch sein

    be at mom's for a visit

Similar words

Mutter: A formal word for the female parent, suitable for official contexts or writing.
Mutti: A familiar and affectionate name for one's mother in casual settings.

Definition in German

Liebevolle Kurzform von Mutter, vor allem in der Familie oder von Kindern als Anrede verwendet.

Word origin

The form Mama developed from reduplicated ma, a simple nursery syllable found in many languages and used in German as a familiar noun.

Usage tips

  • Direct address normally uses Mama without an article, as in "Mama, hast du Zeit?", while descriptions use forms such as die Mama.

Opposites

Related words

  • Mamimommynoun

Word lists with this word