Meaning of 妈妈
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- mama
- mommy
- mother
Measure word: 個|个,位
How to use 妈妈
妈妈 (māma) is the everyday word children and adults use to say or call out "mom." It is also used when talking about someone's mother, often with a possessive like 我妈妈 (wǒ māma). Example: 我妈妈是老师。(Wǒ māma shì lǎoshī.) My mom is a teacher.
妈 is built from 女 (nǚ, woman) on the left and 马 (mǎ, horse) on the right, which gives the sound. Picture a woman who works as hard as a horse for her family, and you have 妈妈 (māma), mom.
Common mistake: Learners often say both syllables with the first tone, but the second 妈 is neutral tone: māma, said light and short. Also do not confuse 妈 (mā, mom) with 马 (mǎ, horse) or 吗 (ma, question particle), which share the same right side.
妈妈 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
妈 mā · ma · 6 strokes
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妈 mā · ma · 6 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 妈妈.
| 大妈 | dàmā | father's elder brother's wife; aunt (affectionate term for an elderly woman) |
| 他妈的 | tāmāde | (taboo curse) damn it!; fucking |
| 妈咪 | māmi | mommy (loanword) |
| 老妈 | lǎomā | mother; mom |
| 爸妈 | bàmā | dad and mom |
| 姨妈 | yímā | (coll.) mother's sister; maternal aunt |
| 姑妈 | gūmā | (coll.) father's married sister; paternal aunt |
| 阿妈 | āmā | grandma (paternal) (Tw); (dialect) mother |
| 奶妈 | nǎimā | wet nurse |
| 大姨妈 | dàyímā | mother's eldest sister (older than one's mother); (coll.) (euphemism) Aunt Flo (i.e. menst |
| 舅妈 | jiùmā | (coll.) aunt; maternal uncle's wife |
| 婆婆妈妈 | pópomāmā | effeminate; old-womanish |
Questions about 妈妈
What does 妈妈 mean?
妈妈 (māma) means "mama; mommy" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 妈妈?
妈妈 is made of 2 characters: 妈 (6 strokes), 妈 (6 strokes). That is 12 strokes in total.
Is 妈妈 an HSK word?
Yes. 妈妈 is on the HSK 1 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 妈妈 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 妈妈 is written 媽媽.
What is the difference between 妈妈 and 母亲?
妈妈 (māma) is warm and everyday, like "mom." 母亲 (mǔqīn) is formal, like "mother," and appears more in writing, speeches, or official contexts.
Can I say just 妈 instead of 妈妈?
Yes. Adults often say 妈 (mā) alone, especially when calling their mother or in phrases like 我妈 (wǒ mā). 老妈 (lǎomā) is another casual, affectionate way to say mom.