母

• Reading: はは
• Romaji: haha
• Kanji breakdown: 母 (haha/bo) — mother
• Pronunciation: /ha.ha/

Meaning

Mother. The humble term used when referring to one's own mother.

Used when speaking about your own mother to others. This is the humble form, while お母さん is used when referring to someone else's mother or addressing your own mother directly. A key example of the uchi/soto (in-group/out-group) distinction in Japanese.

Examples

1. 母は先生です。 My mother is a teacher.
2. 母が作った料理はおいしいです。 The food my mother made is delicious.
3. 毎朝母と話します。 I talk with my mother every morning.

Usage Guide

Context: self-introduction, talking about family, formal conversation

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

An ancient Japanese word. The kanji 母 is a pictograph of a woman with two dots representing breasts, symbolizing a nursing mother.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal