Portuguese · People & Family
"Mom" in Portuguese: mãe
a mãe
Note: affectionate: mamãe
Mom in Portuguese is still mãe, but the affectionate everyday call is mamãe. Kids shout mamãe across the house, and adults keep using it for warmth. In stories about your mom, minha mãe remains the default.
A child at home
Mãe, posso ver televisão?Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce mãe
Say it
mah-MỸ
/ˈmɐ̃e/
mamãe: mah-MỸ. The last syllable is nasal like mãe.
"Mom" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| mamãe | mom, mommy Affectionate call form and warm reference. | Affectionate call form and warm reference. |
| mãe | mom, mother Neutral noun; still used for "mom" in adult speech. | Neutral noun; still used for "mom" in adult speech. |
| minha mãe | my mom Most common way adults refer to their mom. | Most common way adults refer to their mom. |
| mãezinha | dear mom Extra-affectionate diminutive. | Extra-affectionate diminutive. |
| mainha | mom (Northeastern) Regional affectionate form in parts of Brazil. | Regional affectionate form in parts of Brazil. |
How to use mãe in real life
- 1A child at home
Mãe, posso ver televisão?
Mom, can I watch TV?
Mãe works as a direct call; mamãe is the warmer option.
- 2Adult warmth
Liguei pra mãe e ela já estava preocupada.
I called mom and she was already worried.
Adults often say mãe or minha mãe in everyday stories.
- 3Explaining to a friend
Minha mãe faz o melhor feijão do mundo.
My mom makes the best beans in the world.
Minha mãe is the standard adult reference.
Mistakes English speakers make with mãe
Incorrect: Oi, mom!
Correct: Oi, mãe! / Oi, mamãe!
Switch English mom to mãe or mamãe when speaking Portuguese.
Incorrect: Meu mamãe chegou.
Correct: Minha mamãe chegou. / Minha mãe chegou.
Both mãe and mamãe are feminine: use minha.
Good to know
Brazilian Portuguese loves diminutives and soft family nicknames. Mamãe can sound childish in a formal office story, but it is natural in family chats. In Portugal, mamã is the closer match to English mom.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Texting while waiting for your mom outside school pickup years later
ChatPal
Sua mãe já está no carro? A chuva começou.
Is your mom already in the car? The rain started.
You
Mandou mensagem agora. A mamãe está no sinal.
She just texted. Mom is at the traffic light.
ChatPal
Quer esperar aqui embaixo comigo?
Want to wait downstairs with me?
You
Quero. Minha mãe odeia quando eu fico no sol.
Yes. My mom hates when I stay in the sun.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Mom" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Mom" in Portuguese
Should I learn mamãe or mãe first?
Learn both. Use mãe in neutral talk and mamãe when calling her warmly.
Can adults say mamãe?
Yes with family. In formal speech about your mother, minha mãe sounds more adult.
What do people say in Portugal?
Mãe is the same. The affectionate everyday form is often mamã.
How do kids get a mother's attention?
They call Mamãe! the way English-speaking kids call Mom!
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
