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March 24, 2026
母亲(母親)mǔqīn(mu3qin1)
母亲 (mǔqīn) means 'mother' in Mandarin. It is a formal term often used in both spoken and written contexts to convey respect and affection. While it can refer to one's biological mother, it can also denote a maternal figure or a woman in a nurturing role.
Frequency#546DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the role of the mother is highly revered, and Mother's Day (母亲节) is celebrated with great significance, often involving family gatherings and gifts. The concept of filial piety emphasizes the importance of honoring one's mother.
Memory Tip
Picture a loving mother (母) holding her child (亲) close. The character 母 (mǔ) resembles a woman with outstretched arms, symbolizing nurturing, and 亲 (qīn) can remind you of 'kin' or close relationships. Together, they form the word for mother, emphasizing the bond of love and care.
Meanings of 母亲
mǔqīn(mu3qin1)
1mother
2also pr. [mǔ qin]
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About 母亲
母亲Simplified
母親Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#546Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 母亲
Podcast: 母亲
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AI Study Notes for 母亲
Quick Contrast
母亲 (mǔqīn) vs 妈妈 (māmā) — use 母亲 for formal contexts or to convey respect, while 妈妈 is more casual and affectionate.
Memory Mnemonic
Picture a loving mother (母) holding her child (亲) close. The character 母 (mǔ) resembles a woman with outstretched arms, symbolizing nurturing, and 亲 (qīn) can remind you of 'kin' or close relationships. Together, they form the word for mother, emphasizing the bond of love and care.
Usage Notes
In casual conversation, people often simply use 妈妈 (māmā) instead of 母亲 (mǔqīn). Avoid using 母亲 in overly informal settings, as it may sound too formal. A common collocation is 母亲节 (mǔqīn jié), meaning Mother's Day.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 母亲 connects well with other family-related vocabulary like 父亲 (fùqīn, father) and 兄弟姐妹 (xiōngdì jiěmèi, siblings). Focus on its pronunciation and use in context, especially in expressions of gratitude or respect.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the role of the mother is highly revered, and Mother's Day (母亲节) is celebrated with great significance, often involving family gatherings and gifts. The concept of filial piety emphasizes the importance of honoring one's mother.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 母亲 as 'mǔ qīn' with the wrong tones or confuse it with 妈妈 (māmā). Ensure you use the correct tones: mǔ (3rd tone) and qīn (1st tone).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 母亲
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Grammar Patterns of 母亲
母亲 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.
In Chinese culture, the role of the mother is highly revered, and Mother's Day (母亲节) is celebrated with great significance, often involving family gatherings and gifts. The concept of filial piety emphasizes the importance of honoring one's mother.
Frequently Asked Questions about 母亲
Yes, 母亲 is more formal and respectful, while 妈妈 is informal and commonly used in daily conversation.
Yes, you can use 母亲 to refer to someone else's mother, but be mindful of the context and formality.
The correct pronunciation is mǔqīn, with the first syllable pronounced with a falling tone and the second with a high, level tone.
