Mama

See also: Appendix:Variations of "mama"

German

Alternative forms

• Mamma

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈmama/ (commonly)
• IPA^(key): /maˈmaː/ (obsolete, lofty)

• Audio:

  (file)

• Rhymes: -aː

Noun

Mama f (genitive Mama or Mamas, plural Mamas)

1. mum, mummy, mom, mommy

Usage notes

• The word is commonly used with a definite article in most parts of central Germany, southern Germany, and Austria: Wo ist die Mama? – “Where is Mum?” In northern Germany—and generally in writing—no article tends to be used: Wo ist Mama?
• The genitive Mamas is used before the modified term, without any article or determiner: Mamas Tasche – “Mum’s bag”. This is chiefly northern German usage; the rest of the language prefers: die Tasche von der Mama (as above). — With an accompanying article or determiner, the genitive takes no ending: die Tasche meiner Mama – “my mum’s bag”. This, however, is not common usage in any region; children will say instead: die Tasche von meiner Mama.

Synonyms

• Mutti

Derived terms

• Mami (affectionate)

Further reading

• “Mama” in Duden online