Chinese phrases
How to say mom in Chinese
Mom in Chinese is 妈妈 (mā ma). Most adults shorten it to 妈 (mā) when they talk to her, and use 母亲 (mǔ qīn) in writing.
妈妈
mom
妈 is high and flat. In 妈妈, the second syllable is short and light: mā ma.
Ways to say mom
妈妈
Everydaymom
To your mother and about her. Children say it, and so do many adults.
妈
Everydaymom
What most adults call their mother: 妈，我回来了. When you talk about her, 我妈 is “my mom.”
老妈
With friendsmom (affectionate)
Warm and casual, when you talk about her with friends or in a message. Some people also say it to her face.
母亲
Writtenmother
In writing, speeches and on forms, and in 母亲节, Mother’s Day. In conversation it sounds stiff.
您母亲
Formalyour mother (polite)
About someone else’s mother when you want to be polite, for example with a client or an older person.
娘
Everydaymom (old-fashioned)
Still said in some northern villages, and common in older stories and songs. In a city it sounds rural or old-fashioned.
A friend’s mother
阿姨
auntie
What you call a friend’s mother to her face. Say 阿姨好 when you meet her.
你妈妈
your mom
When you talk about her with your friend.
Common mistakes
Calling a friend’s mother by her name
Her given name sounds rude in Chinese. Call her 阿姨.
Saying 我母亲 in conversation
我母亲 sounds like a speech or an essay. With friends and colleagues, say 我妈.
The wrong tone on 妈
妈 is mā, high and flat. With a falling tone, mà, it sounds like 骂, “to scold.”
After dinner at a friend’s home
你妈妈做的饺子真好吃！
Leon: Your mom’s dumplings are so good!
谢谢！我妈每年过年都包饺子。
Qiqi: Thanks! My mom makes them every New Year.
替我谢谢阿姨。
Leon: Please thank her for me.
好，我跟她说。
Qiqi: Sure, I’ll tell her.
