Portuguese · People & Family
"Mother" in Portuguese: mãe
a mãe
Mother in Portuguese is a mãe, a feminine noun with a nasal ãe. Use mãe for the family role, and mamãe when speaking affectionately like English mom. Brazilians say minha mãe constantly in daily stories.
Talking about weekend plans
Vou visitar minha mãe no sábado de manhã.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce mãe
Say it
mỹ
/ˈmɐ̃e/
mỹ — one nasal syllable, like "mine" without a clear n. Spelled mãe.
"Mother" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| a mãe | mother Neutral word for mother. | Neutral word for mother. |
| minha mãe | my mother Most common possessive phrase. | Most common possessive phrase. |
| mamãe | mommy, mom Affectionate form, especially with kids or warm adult talk. | Affectionate form, especially with kids or warm adult talk. |
| mãe solteira | single mother Describes family status. | Describes family status. |
| sogra | mother-in-law Related family term learners meet early. | Related family term learners meet early. |
How to use mãe in real life
- 1Talking about weekend plans
Vou visitar minha mãe no sábado de manhã.
I'm visiting my mother on Saturday morning.
Minha mãe is the default adult phrase.
- 2A child calling out
Mãe, onde está meu tênis?
Mom, where are my sneakers?
Mãe is the neutral call; mamãe adds extra warmth.
- 3Describing family
Minha mãe é professora e cozinha muito bem.
My mother is a teacher and cooks very well.
Simple two-fact description beginners can copy.
Mistakes English speakers make with mãe
Incorrect: Meu mãe trabalha longe.
Correct: Minha mãe trabalha longe.
Mãe is feminine, so use minha.
Incorrect: Eu amo meu madre.
Correct: Eu amo minha mãe.
Madre is Spanish. Portuguese uses mãe.
Good to know
Brazilian Portuguese often keeps mãe for serious talk and mamãe for warmth. Mother's Day, Dia das Mães, is a major family date. In Portugal, mãe is the same word; mamã is a common affectionate form there.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Calling home while traveling
ChatPal
Você já ligou para a sua mãe hoje?
Have you called your mother today?
You
Ainda não. Minha mãe trabalha até as seis.
Not yet. My mother works until six.
ChatPal
Quando ela atender, manda um beijo da minha parte.
When she picks up, send a kiss from me.
You
Mando sim. Minha mãe vai ficar feliz.
I will. My mother will be happy.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Mother" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Mother" in Portuguese
What is the difference between mãe and mamãe?
Mãe is the neutral noun. Mamãe is affectionate, like mommy or mom in warm speech.
How do I say mother-in-law?
Sogra. Father-in-law is sogro.
Is mãe nasal?
Yes. The ãe ending is nasal; do not say "my-ee" as two clear vowels.
Do people in Portugal say mamãe?
They understand it, but mamã is the more local affectionate form.
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
