Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'mother'

English Word: mother

Key Russian Translations:

• мама (/ˈmamə/) - [Informal, Commonly used in family settings]
• мать (/matʲ/) - [Formal, Literary or official contexts, Singular]

Frequency: High (Both translations are frequently used in everyday Russian speech, especially in familial or descriptive contexts.)

Difficulty: A1 for "мама" (Beginner level, simple and intuitive); A2 for "мать" (Elementary level, requires basic understanding of noun declensions).

Pronunciation (Russian):

мама: /ˈmamə/

Note on мама: The stress is on the first syllable. This word is pronounced softly and is often used affectionately; be mindful of regional variations in vowel sounds.

мать: /matʲ/ (with a palatalized 't' sound, common in Russian consonants).

Note on мать: The 't' is palatalized, which can be challenging for English speakers; practice with native audio for accuracy.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Mother as a female parent

Translation(s) & Context:

• мама - Used in informal, everyday conversations, such as talking to or about one's own mother in a casual setting.
• мать - Used in formal, literary, or neutral contexts, such as in writing, official documents, or when emphasizing biological relationships.

Usage Examples:

• Моя мама готовит ужин каждый вечер. (My mother cooks dinner every evening.)

  This example shows "мама" in a simple declarative sentence, highlighting daily family routines.

• Её мать работает врачом в больнице. (Her mother works as a doctor in the hospital.)

  Here, "мать" is used in a neutral, factual context to describe a professional role.

• Я звоню маме, чтобы пожелать доброго утра. (I call my mother to wish her good morning.)

  This demonstrates "мама" in a affectionate, communicative scenario, common in phone conversations.

• В русской литературе часто упоминается роль матери в семье. (In Russian literature, the role of the mother in the family is often mentioned.)

  This uses "матери" (genitive form of "мать") in a cultural or literary discussion, showing grammatical variation.

• Мама всегда была для меня опорой. (Mother has always been my support.)

  An emotional expression using "мама" to convey personal sentiment in spoken language.

Mother as a metaphorical or symbolic figure

Translation(s) & Context:

• мать - Often used metaphorically in poetry, proverbs, or historical contexts to represent nurturing or homeland.

Usage Examples:

• Родина – это наша вторая мать. (The homeland is our second mother.)

  This idiomatic use of "мать" illustrates metaphorical meaning in patriotic or cultural expressions.

• Мама-природа дарит нам красоту лесов. (Mother Nature gives us the beauty of forests.)

  Here, "мама" is adapted metaphorically, blending informal tone with environmental themes.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

For "мама" (informal noun, often treated as indeclinable in casual speech):

This word is relatively unchanging in modern usage, especially in spoken Russian. It remains "мама" in most cases, but can take simple endings in poetic or emphatic contexts (e.g., маме in dative case).

For "мать" (formal noun, first declension, feminine):

This word follows standard Russian noun declension patterns, which are regular but require attention to vowel and consonant changes.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • мамочка (a more diminutive, affectionate form of мама)
  • родительница (a neutral term for female parent, with a formal tone)
• Antonyms:
  • отец (father)
  • мачеха (stepmother, implying a contrast in relationship dynamics)

Note: "мамочка" is often used for endearment in child-parent interactions, while "родительница" is more bureaucratic.

Related Phrases:

• Дорогая мама (Dear Mother) - A common phrase in letters or greetings, expressing affection.
• Мать-и-мачеха (Mother-and-stepmother plant) - Refers to a flower, with a metaphorical connotation of family complexity.
• С днем матери! (Happy Mother's Day!) - A festive phrase used on holidays, highlighting cultural celebrations.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "мама" corresponds more directly to the informal English "mom" or "mum," while "мать" aligns with the formal "mother." Choose based on context: use "мама" for personal, emotional scenarios and "мать" for neutral or written language. Be aware of grammatical gender (feminine) and declensions, which affect sentence structure. In formal writing, "мать" might be preferred to maintain a professional tone.

• Scene-specific: "Мама" is ideal for phone calls or family dialogues.
• Multiple translations: Opt for "мама" with children or in casual speech; "мать" in educational or historical contexts.

Common Errors:

English learners often misuse declensions, such as saying "Я люблю мама" instead of the correct "Я люблю маму" (I love mother), where the accusative case is needed. Error: Incorrect declension leads to grammatical errors. Correct: Always check the case based on the sentence role; for example, "маму" in direct objects.

Another common mistake is overusing "мать" in informal settings, which can sound overly formal or archaic. Error example: "Моя мать готовит ужин" in a casual chat; Better: "Моя мама готовит ужин" for natural flow.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "мама" carries deep emotional weight, often symbolizing unconditional love and sacrifice, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works. Mother's Day (celebrated on the last Sunday of November) emphasizes family bonds, reflecting the cultural importance of maternal figures in Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• семья (family)
• дети (children)
• отец (father)