Level A1 (Beginner)
Lesson written by French teacher David Issokson for students who want to learn French online, with audio recorded by Marie Assel Cambier, a professional voice artist and native French speaker.
The French Word of the Day is maman, meaning “mom” or “mommy” — a word you’ll hear in every French home. Today you’ll learn its:
✅ Meaning
✅ Pronunciation
✅ Example sentences
✅ Related Words & Expressions
✅ Related lessons
📘 Maman meaning
In French, maman means “mom” or “mommy.” It’s the informal, affectionate word children and adults use every day at home. By contrast, mère is the formal word for “mother,” used in writing or official situations. (See examples below.)
🎧 Maman pronunciation
Maman is pronounced /ma.mɑ̃/ and sounds like mah-mahn, with the final -an nasalized (the sound comes through the nose, not like a clear “n”).
📝 French and English examples
Maman – mom, mommy
Salut maman ! Ça va ?
Hi mom! How’s it going?
J’aime ma maman ! J’ai la meilleure maman du monde !
I love my mom! I have the best mom in the world!
S’il te plaît, maman ! Achète-moi le jouet !
Please mom, by me the toy!
Mère = mother in French
This lesson is about maman, while the formal word for “mother” in French is mère.
Ma mère s’appelle Marion et elle a quarante-cinq ans.
My mom’s name is Marion and she’s forty-five years old.
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🔗 Related words & Expressions
Nouns
- mère — mother
- papa — dad, daddy
- grand-mère — grandmother
- mamie — grandma
- belle-maman — mother-in-law
- bonne-maman — grandma (old-fashioned)
- fils à sa maman — mama’s boy
- future maman — mom-to-be
- jeune maman — new mother
- jouer à la maman — to play mother
Expressions
- appeler sa maman — to call one’s mom
- comme à la maison, chez maman — just like home, at mom’s
- c’est pas demain la veille, maman ! — not happening anytime soon, mom!
- maman poule — overprotective mom (“mother hen”)
- bonne fête maman ! — Happy Mother’s Day, mom!
- chez maman — at mom’s house
🚀 Keep learning French vocabulary!
Now that you’ve mastered maman, check out my related lessons on le fils (son) and la fille (daughter, girl).
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