How to Say ‘Mom / mother’ in Japanese
お母さん
o kaa san
[oh kah-ah sahn]
Phrase Breakdown
お
o
[oh]
honorific prefix
A polite prefix often used for family terms when addressing someone respectfully.
お母さんに電話します。
I will call Mom.
母
kaa
[kah-ah]
mother
Mother; when combined with お and さん, it becomes the polite everyday word for 'mom'.
母にプレートを見せます。
I will show the plate to my mother.
さん
san
[sahn]
Mr./Ms.; polite suffix
A respectful suffix attached to a person's title or name.
お母さんは喜びます。
Mom will be happy.
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