Meaning

Primary

Mother

Alternative

Mom

Word Type

noun

Explanation

This word starts with which makes it more polite. Then, there's the kanji which you know means mother. Last, there's the honorific さん which further adds respect (to the mother). So, this is the nice way to say mother. You use it when you're talking to your own mom or talking about her with friends. You can also use this when you're talking about your friends' moms.

If you need to talk about someone's mother that you don't really know, or you aren't close to, you'll want to use お母様, instead. Don't worry, you'll learn that last kanji in a few lessons. Until then, it's pronounced, おかあさま. Kay?

Reading

おかあさん
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

Since this word is made up of a single kanji, it uses the kun'yomi reading. You have to remember the かあ portion. Here's a mnemonic to help you to remember it:

What does your super nice mother do for you (this is why you're so polite to her!)? She drives you all around in her car (かあ) taking you wherever you need to go... soccer, kendo, whatever. What a nice mother you have!

Context

Common Word Combinations

  • お母さんにもらう

    to receive something from mother

    お母さんに言う

    to tell mother

    お母さんになる

    to be a mother

Context Sentences

お母さんはどこ?

Where’s mom?

うちのお母さん、いつもケールダイエットしてるんです。

My mother is always on a kale diet.

ビール代なら、お母さんがだしてあげるわよ。

I'm your mother, I can pay for your beer.

Kanji Composition