maa1 daa2媽打妈打

Jyutpingmaa1 daa2

Yalemā dá

Definition

Mother

colloquialfamilypeople

How it's used

Originating from the English word mother, this term is a classic example of Hong Kong's colonial-era linguistic fusion. It carries a slightly playful or affectionate tone compared to the more standard 媽咪 or 阿媽. While widely understood across generations, it is most commonly used by older speakers or those who grew up in the mid-twentieth century.

Examples

nei5你maa1媽daa2打gam1今jat6日jau5有mou5冇heoi3去jam2飲caa4茶aa4呀？

Did your mother go for dim sum today?

ngo5我maa1媽daa2打hou2好sek3錫ngo5我，seng4成jat6日zyu2煮faan6飯bei2畀ngo5我sik6食。

My mother loves me very much and always cooks for me.

Common phrases

ngo5我maa1媽daa2打

my mother

nei5你maa1媽daa2打

your mother

Common mistake

Avoid using this in formal writing or professional settings, as it sounds distinctly dated and informal. It is strictly a spoken term and should never be used to address someone else's mother directly in a polite context.