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母
haha
mother
母は台所で料理をしています。
My mother is cooking in the kitchen.
neutral
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.
formal
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.
biology
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.
Word Breakdown
母
mother
root和英辞典