ママ

• Reading: まま
• Romaji: mama
• Pronunciation: /ma.ma/

Meaning

Mama; mom; mother. An informal, affectionate term for one's mother.

A loanword from English used widely in Japanese as a familiar term for mother. It is commonly used by young children and in casual family settings. Also used to refer to the female owner or hostess of a bar or small restaurant, as in スナックのママ (snack bar mama).

Examples

1. ママ、今日の晩ごはんは何？ Mom, what's for dinner tonight?
2. 友達のママはとても優しい人だ。 My friend's mom is a really kind person.
3. あの店のママはいつも笑顔で迎えてくれる。 The mama at that bar always greets you with a smile.

Usage Guide

Context: family, children, restaurants

Tone: affectionate

Origin & History

Borrowed from English 'mama,' itself a universal babbling sound found across many languages. Entered Japanese during the postwar period as Western family terms became fashionable.

Cultural Context

Era: Postwar

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal