How to say "mother" in Japanese
"Mother" in Japanese is 母 (haha) when talking about your own mother to others, and お母さん (okāsan) for someone else's mother or when calling your own.
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Ways to say "mother" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 母はは · haha | Mother (your own, when talking to others). |
| お母さんおかあさん · okāsan | Mother (someone else's, or calling your own). |
| 母親ははおや · hahaoya | Mother (general). |
How to use it
Mother's Day is 母の日 (Haha no Hi), the second Sunday in May.
In polite speech, use 母 for your own mother, even if she is not present.
Example sentences
- 母は看護師です。Haha wa kangoshi desu.My mother is a nurse.
- お母さんはお元気ですか。Okāsan wa o-genki desu ka.How is your mother?
- 母の日に花を送りました。Haha no Hi ni hana o okurimashita.I sent flowers on Mother's Day.
- 母親として仕事と子育てを両立しています。Hahaoya to shite shigoto to kosodate o ryōritsu shite imasu.As a mother, I balance work and raising children.
- お母さん、ただいま。Okāsan, tadaima.Mom, I'm home.
- 母から電話がありました。Haha kara denwa ga arimashita.My mother called.
Kanji in this word
Questions
When do you use 母 and when お母さん?
Use 母 (haha) for your own mother when speaking to others. Use お母さん (okāsan) for someone else's mother or when talking to your own mother.
When is Mother's Day in Japan?
母の日 (Haha no Hi) is the second Sunday in May, the same as in the United States.
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