Japanese Word for
母haha
mother · mom · mama
How to say it
Context
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.
Related words
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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