maa1 maa1媽媽妈妈
Jyutpingmaa1 maa1
Yalemā mā
Definition
Mother, whether biological, adoptive, or a stepmother.
Example
colloquialfamilypeople
How it's used
While 媽媽 is the standard term for mother, children often use 阿媽 in casual conversation to refer to their own mother. Using 媽媽 sounds slightly more formal or affectionate, and it is the term used when speaking to someone else about their mother. Avoid using 母親 unless you are writing in a formal context, as it sounds distant and unnatural in daily speech.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Did your mother go for dim sum today?
The food my mother cooks is the best in the world.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use 母親 in casual conversation, which can make them sound like they are reading from a textbook or giving a formal speech. Reserve 母親 for written documents or very formal introductions.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- How oftenUsually, sometimes, all the time, rarely, never. All five sit in one slot, between the subject and the verb.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
