How to Say Mom in Russian

Мама

Pronunciation: MAma

Translation: mom

Meaning: mom

This is the most common and neutral way to say mom in Russian. It is suitable for a variety of situations, including addressing one's own mother, as well as talking about someone's mother both in private and in public. The word carries neutral to affectionate connotations and is used in all social settings, from the very formal to the very informal.

Example:

- Ее мама работала в школе учителем русского языка. (yeYO MAma raBOtala FSHKOlye ooCHEEtylem ROOSkava yazyKAH)
- Her mom worked as a Russian teacher at a school.

Мамочка

Pronunciation: MAmachka

Translation: mommy

Meaning: mommy

An affectionate way to address mom, the word мамочка can be used in most social situations. However, it can also have a sarcastic undertone depending on the context. As with other Russian words that are turned into terms of affection, the context determines whether the meaning is genuinely affectionate or is mockingly so.

Example 1 (affectionate):

- Мамочка, я так по тебе соскучилась! (MAmachka, ya TAK pa tyBYE sasKOOchilas')
- Mommy, I have missed you so much!

Example 2 (sarcastic):

- Ты и мамочку свою привел? (ty ee MAmachkoo svaYU preeVYOL)
- Did you bring your mommy too?

Мамулечка

Pronunciation: maMOOlychka

Translation: mommy

Meaning: mommy

The affectionate tone of мамулечка is doubled through the use of the already affectionate мамуля (maMOOlya)—a diminutive of мама—, which is then made affectionate again by turning it into another diminutive.

The word мамулечка is most commonly used when addressing one's own mother in a relaxed and affectionate environment, for example when telling her how much she is loved.

Example:

- Мамулечка, я тебя так люблю! (maMOOlechka, ya tyBYA TAK lyuBLYU)
- My dear mommy, I love you so much!

Мам

Pronunciation: mam/ma

Translation: ma

Meaning: mam, ma

Used in everyday conversation, the word мам can only appear when addressing your mother directly. It is not possible to use it as a standalone word in another context. Мам appeared as a shortened and faster way to say мама in informal conversation when addressing mom.

Example:

- Мам, ну ты где? (MA, noo ty GDYE?)
- Where are you, Ma?

Ма

Pronunciation: MA

Translation: ma, mam

Meaning: ma, mam

Another version of мам, ма is also a shortened version of мама and is used in the same way as мам.

Example:

- Ма, как ты? (MA, KAK ty?)
- Ma, how are you?

Мамуся

Pronunciation: maMOOsya

Translation: mommy

Meaning: mom, mommy

Another diminutive of мама, this is also a term of affection and can be used as a form of address in very informal situations.

Example:

- Ну мамуся, ну пожалуйста (noo maMOOsya, noo paZHAlusta).
- Mommy, please, I'm begging you.

Мать

Pronunciation: mat'

Translation: mother

Meaning: mother

The word мать carries a neutral to formal meaning. It can also have a harsher tone depending on the context. This word can be used in formal and neutral situations, but it will feel way too harsh for addressing your mom.

Example:

- Пришли он, его мать и тётка. (priSHLEE on, yeVOH mat' ee TYOTka).
- He came with his mother and his aunt.

Матушка

Pronunciation: MAtooshka

Translation: mom, mother

Meaning: mom, mother

Матушка is a diminutive and affectionate form of мать. Therefore, unlike the diminutive forms of мама (such as мамочка or мамуля), this word carries a less affectionate and more respectful meaning than those diminutives. Матушка is also another name for Russia: Матушка-Россия (Mother Russia). It has somewhat archaic connotations and can be found mostly in classic Russian literature.

Example:

- Ее матушка не пустила (yeYO MAtooshka nye poosTEELa)
- Her mom didn't let her come.

Маменька

Pronunciation: MAmen'ka

Translation: mom, mother

Meaning: mom, mommy, mother

Nowadays considered an archaic form of мама, this is a respectful and affectionate term. You will see it a lot in classic Russian literature, so it's worth learning. In modern Russian, the word is often used as part of the idiom меменькин сынок (MAmenkin syNOK)—mummy's boy—and маменькина дочка (MAmenkina DOCHka)—mummy's girl—, to mean a child spoilt by their mother.

Example:

- Маменька, что вы такое говорите! (MAmenka, SHTOH vy taKOye gavaREEtye)
- Mother, what are you saying!

Мамаша

Pronunciation: maMAsha

Translation: mother, mom

Meaning: mother

The word мамаша has a neutral or a slightly patronizing meaning. It can often be heard when referring to a mother in relation to a small child, for example, when a teacher addresses all the mothers present, or a doctor addresses a mother. Мамаша is never used by a child towards their mother.

Example:

- Мамаша, не волнуйтесь,с Вашем сыном все нормально. (maMAsha, ne valNOOYtes, s VAshem SYnam VSYO narMALna)
- Don't worry, mom, your son is fine.