Japanese word

母親

Pronunciation

Romajihahaoya

Meaning

  • nounmother

Example

毎日母親と話します。mai nichi haha oya to hana shi ma su

I talk with my mother every day.

Illustration for 母親 (mother)

More examples

困ったときは、母親に相談します。koma tta to ki wa haha oya ni sō dan shi ma su

When I have a problem, I consult my mother.

Core concept

Identifies the woman who holds the mother role in relation to a child.

Common phrases

  • 母親と話すhaha oya to hana su

    talk with one's mother

  • 母親に相談するhaha oya ni sō dan su ru

    consult one's mother

Similar words

母haha: A person's own mother, used when referring to her in a plain or formal way.
お母さんokāsan: A familiar term for one's mother, also used when addressing her directly.

Definition in Japanese

子を産むか育てるなどして、母の立場にある女性。ko o u mu ka soda te ru na do shi te haha no tachi ba ni a ru jo sei

Word origin

The compound 母親 (hahaoya) joins 母 (haha, "mother") with 親 (oya, "parent"), making the maternal relationship explicit.

Usage tips

  • 母親 (hahaoya) often appears when a mother is discussed as a person or family role, whereas お母さん (okāsan) is commonly used as a familiar form of address.

Word lists with this word