die Mama
mom, mummy, mama
Mama is the common, affectionate word for 'mom' or 'mummy' in German. It is used mainly by children and within families, but adults also use it when talking to or about their own mother in a warm, familiar way.
Heard in real German videos
Lines where Mama was actually spoken, from German videos watched with DeutschChat.
- Was ist ein geheimes Restaurant, Mama?What is a secret restaurant, Mom?
- Halt bitte mal meine Brille, Mama Wutz.Please hold my glasses for a moment, Mummy Pig.
- Sind wir auf dem Mond, Mama?Are we on the moon, Mom?
Example sentences
- Mama, wo bist du?Mom, where are you?
- Ich rufe meine Mama an.I'm calling my mom.
- Das ist ein Geschenk für Mama.This is a present for Mom.
- Mama und Papa sind im Garten.Mom and Dad are in the garden.
Grammar
| Gender | feminine |
|---|---|
| Plural | die Mamas |
| Genitive | der Mama |
| Declension note | Feminine noun: no ending in genitive singular; plural adds -s |
Mama is a feminine noun, so it takes 'die' and 'eine'. The genitive singular is der Mama (no ending), and the plural is die Mamas. In the dative plural it is den Mamas.
Common phrases
- Mama seinto be a mom
- Mama und Papamom and dad
- wie bei Mama schmeckento taste like mom's cooking
The mistake English speakers make
English speakers sometimes use 'Mama' in formal contexts or to refer to someone else's mother. In German, 'Mama' is informal and intimate; use 'Mutter' for formal or neutral situations.
Don’t confuse it with
- die Mutter — Mutter is the neutral/formal word for mother, while Mama is the affectionate, familiar term used mainly within the family.
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between Mama and Mutter?
Mama is the familiar, affectionate word for 'mom', used mainly by children and within the family. Mutter is the neutral or formal word for 'mother', used in official contexts or when talking about someone else's mother.
How do you pronounce Mama in German?
It is pronounced with stress on the first syllable: MA-ma, with short 'a' sounds, like the 'a' in German 'Mann'.
Can adults say Mama?
Yes, many German adults continue to call their own mother 'Mama' when speaking to her or about her in a personal context. It is not considered childish.