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"Madre" is a noun which is often translated as "mother", and "mami" is a noun which is often translated as "mommy". Learn more about the difference between "madre" and "mami" below.
la madre(
mah
-
dreh
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (relative)
a. mother
Mi madre prepara la comida más rica del mundo.My mother makes the world's most delicious food.
a. mother
La madre Gabriela dio una charla sobre el amor verdadero.Mother Gabriela gave a talk about true love.
3. (cradle)
a. mother
Los esfuerzos de los desplazados de la guerra nos demuestran como la necesidad es la madre de la invención.The efforts of those displaced by the war demonstrate how necessity is the mother of invention.
a. bed
La madre se hizo más profunda con las fuertes lluvias.The bed was deepened by the heavy rain.
5. (colloquial) (object) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Mexico
las madres
A plural noun indicates that there is more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
6. (colloquial) (vulgar) (action) (Mexico)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
A word or phrase that is crude, indecent, and generally rejected by society.
Regionalism used in Mexico
a. stuff
Hicimos un montón de madres para intentar arreglar el carro.We did a whole bunch of stuff to try to fix the car.
la mami(
mah
-
mee
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (colloquial) (relative)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. mommy (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
Mami, ¿miras si hay monstruos debajo de la cama?Mommy, can you check under the bed for monsters?
b. mummy (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Te voy a acusar con mi mami.I will tell my mummy on you.
2. (colloquial) (used to address an attractive woman) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
3. (colloquial) (used to address a young girl) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. sweetheart
¿Qué pasó, mami? ¿Te machucaste el dedo gordo del pie?What happened, sweetheart? Did you stub your big toe?
