How to say “mom” in Chinese

妈妈

Mother, mom

Character composition

mother, mom

mother, mom

Radicals / Keys

Woman

#38 · · 3 strokes

Examples

我爱妈妈

I love my mom.

妈妈在家。

Mom is at home.

Mnemonic

Mnemonic for 妈妈 (māma) — mother, mom

[māma-] Mamma Mia is throwing a surprise party for her 妈妈 with balloons 🎈 and a cake. She decorates the room with two identical figures, calling them "Mama-dolls," as a nod to 妈妈, creating a whimsical scene filled with laughter and joy.

Frequently asked questions

How do you say mom in Mandarin Chinese?

The most common everyday word is 妈妈 (māma).

What is the difference between 妈妈 and 母亲?

妈妈 is warm and conversational. 母亲 (mǔqīn) means “mother” and sounds more formal or written.

What is the traditional form of 妈妈?

The traditional Chinese form is 媽媽; the pronunciation is still māma.

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