madre
Mia madre è molto gentile.
My mother is very kind.
A woman in relation to her child or children; a female parent.
La madre di Marco è un'insegnante.
Marco's mother is a teacher.
In Italian, 'madre' is used in both formal and informal contexts to refer to one's mother.
A woman who has given birth to or raised a child.
Essere madre è una grande responsabilità.
Being a mother is a great responsibility.
This definition emphasizes the role and responsibilities of motherhood.
A woman who has a nurturing or protective role, similar to that of a mother.
La terra è la madre di tutti noi.
The earth is the mother of us all.
In this figurative sense, 'madre' can refer to a nurturing or life-giving entity.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal Usage
'Madre' is more formal and literary, while 'mamma' is used in everyday speech. Choose the appropriate term based on the context.
Gold Rule
Capitalization
In Italian, 'madre' is not capitalized unless it is part of a proper noun, such as 'Madre Teresa'.
Word Origin
From Latin 'mater', meaning 'mother'. The term has been used in Italian since the early medieval period and retains its core meaning of 'mother' across various contexts.
Usage Notes
'Madre' is a formal term for 'mother' in Italian, often used in written or more formal speech. In everyday conversation, 'mamma' is more common. The term can also be used figuratively to describe a nurturing or life-giving entity.