Japanese Word for
母haha
mother · mom · mama
Japanese uses different words for mother depending on context. 母 (haha) is the humble form used when speaking about your own mother to others. お母さん (okāsan) is used when speaking to your mother or about someone else's.
母親
hahaoya
mother (formal/objective)
母国
bokoku
motherland, home country
母語
bogo
mother tongue, native language
祖母
sobo
grandmother
お母様
okāsama
mother (very respectful)
義母
gibo
mother-in-law, stepmother
See also Japanese Symbol for Mother for the full kanji reference. The distinction between 母 (haha) and お母さん (okāsan) reflects Japanese humble/respectful speech (謙譲語/尊敬語). Using 母 when talking about your own mother shows appropriate humility; using お母さん for someone else's mother shows respect.
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