母亲
mǔqīnnoun★Beginner
formal
A woman in relation to her child or children; the female parent of a person.
母亲是家庭的核心。
The mother is the core of the family.
💡
In Chinese culture, the mother often holds a central role in family dynamics.
Collocations
母亲节Mother's Day母亲的爱a mother's love母亲的教诲mother's teachings
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
母亲的心phrase
a mother's heart
母亲的眼泪phrase
a mother's tears
💡Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal
Use '母亲' in formal or respectful contexts, while '妈妈' is more casual and affectionate.
⚡Gold Rule
Respectful Address
When addressing or referring to someone else's mother, '母亲' is more appropriate than '妈妈'.
📖Word Origin
The term '母亲' is composed of '母' (mǔ, meaning 'female parent') and '亲' (qīn, meaning 'close relative').
📝Usage Notes
In formal contexts, '母亲' is often used to convey respect, while '妈妈' is more colloquial and affectionate.
Word Breakdown
母
female parent
root亲
close relative
root汉英词典