vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Mamá" is a form of "mamá", a noun which is often translated as "mom". "Madre" is a noun which is often translated as "mother". Learn more about the difference between "mamá" and "madre" below.
la mamá(
mah
-
mah
)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. mom (colloquial) (United States)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United States
Tengo que limpiar la casa porque hoy viene mi mamá.I have to clean the house because my mom is coming today.
¿Qué le vas a regalar a mamá para el Día de la Madre? - Es una sorpresa.What are you going to give Mom for Mother's Day? - It's a surprise.
b. 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
Mamá, ¿me das un vaso de leche?Mommy, can I have a glass of milk?
c. mum (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
Mi mamá siempre se preocupa por todo.My mum's always worrying about everything.
d. 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
Mamá, necesito lápices y borrador para la escuela.Mummy, I need pencils and a rubber for school.
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.
