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March 24, 2026
妈妈(媽媽)māma(ma1ma5)
The word 妈妈 (māma) means 'mother' or 'mommy' in Mandarin. It is a term of endearment commonly used by children to refer to their mothers, highlighting a close and affectionate relationship. This word is often used in everyday conversation and can also be used in a respectful context when addressing one's mother.
Frequency#167DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the maternal role is highly respected and central to family life. Celebrations like Mother's Day are gaining popularity, but honoring one's mother is a deeply rooted value throughout the year.
Memory Tip
To remember 妈妈, think of a child calling out 'Mama!' while reaching up for a hug. The character 妈 has the phonetic 'ma,' and its repetition emphasizes the intimate bond, just like how children often repeat words to express affection.
Meanings of 妈妈
māma(ma1ma5)
1mama
2mommy
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About 妈妈
妈妈Simplified
媽媽Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#167Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 妈妈
Podcast: 妈妈
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AI Study Notes for 妈妈
Quick Contrast
妈妈 (māma) vs 母亲 (mǔqīn) — use 妈妈 for a casual, affectionate reference, while 母亲 is more formal and can imply distance.
Memory Mnemonic
To remember 妈妈, think of a child calling out 'Mama!' while reaching up for a hug. The character 妈 has the phonetic 'ma,' and its repetition emphasizes the intimate bond, just like how children often repeat words to express affection.
Usage Notes
In informal contexts, 妈妈 is the go-to word for 'mother.' A common mistake is to use 妈妈 in formal situations; instead, use 母亲 (mǔqīn) for a more formal reference. Be careful with tone pronunciation; the first 妈 (mā) has a high level tone, while the second 妈 (ma) is pronounced with a neutral tone.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 1 word, 妈妈 is foundational for learners. It connects well with other family-related vocabulary, such as 爸爸 (bàba, father) and 兄弟 (xiōngdì, brother). Focus on practicing the tones and using 妈妈 in sentences to build confidence.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the maternal role is highly respected and central to family life. Celebrations like Mother's Day are gaining popularity, but honoring one's mother is a deeply rooted value throughout the year.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse the tones, saying 'mama' with incorrect intonation. Ensure you pronounce 妈 (mā) with a high tone and 妈 (ma) with a neutral tone for clarity.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 妈妈
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Grammar Patterns of 妈妈
妈妈 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Nearly half of mothers with children under five have a job.
10
我妈妈年轻时曾经是个成功的时装销售员。
wǒ mā mā nián qīng shí zēng jīng shì gè chéng gōng de shí zhuāng xiāo shòu yuán。
In her younger days my mother had been a successful fashionwear saleswoman.
Cultural Notes for 妈妈
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the maternal role is highly respected and central to family life. Celebrations like Mother's Day are gaining popularity, but honoring one's mother is a deeply rooted value throughout the year.
Frequently Asked Questions about 妈妈
You can say '我的妈妈' (wǒ de māma) to mean 'my mother.'
While primarily used by children, adults can also use 妈妈 respectfully when addressing their mothers.
妈妈 is more informal and affectionate, while 母亲 is more formal and can be used in official contexts.
