母
母は台所で料理をしています。
My mother is cooking in the kitchen.
A female parent.
母は優しい人です。
My mother is a kind person.
母の日にはカーネーションを贈ります。
We give carnations on Mother's Day.
Used in formal contexts (e.g., documents) or when referring to one's own mother. Often replaced by お母さん (okaasan) in casual speech.
A female ancestor or founder.
この家系の母は明治時代の女性です。
The matriarch of this family line is a woman from the Meiji era.
Rare in everyday speech; more common in historical or literary contexts.
A female animal that has given birth.
この猫は三匹の子猫の母です。
This cat is the mother of three kittens.
Used in scientific or animal husbandry contexts.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Formal vs. Casual
Use 母 in formal writing or when referring to your own mother in a respectful context. In casual speech, お母さん (okaasan) is more common.
Gold Rule
Respectful Address
Never refer to someone else's mother as 母 directly; use お母さん (okaasan) instead.
Word Origin
From Old Japanese *papa, ultimately from Proto-Japonic *papa. Related to Korean 어머니 (eomeoni) and Proto-Turkic *apa.
Usage Notes
In formal writing or when addressing someone else's mother, use お母さん (okaasan). When referring to one's own mother in casual speech, 母 is acceptable but often softened with possessive pronouns (e.g., 私の母). In legal or official contexts, 母 is preferred.