How to say “Mom” in Korean
- 엄마eomma
mom
"Mom" in Korean is 엄마 (eomma), the warm, everyday word children and adults use with their own mother. In more formal or respectful situations Koreans say 어머니 (eomeoni), and for someone else's mother or a mother-in-law they say 어머님 (eomeonim).
Ways to say it
| Korean | Level | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| 엄마 eomma | Casual | The everyday word for your own mom, used by kids and adults alike. Use it when talking to her or about her with friends. |
| 어머니 eomeoni | Polite | "Mother." More respectful and grown-up. Used when speaking formally about your mother, in letters and speeches, and by some adult sons when talking to their mom. |
| 어머님 eomeonim | Formal | The honorific form. Used for someone else's mother, a friend's mom, or your mother-in-law. Not usually used for your own mom. |
| 우리 엄마 uri eomma | Any | "My mom." Koreans say 우리 (our) rather than 내 (my) when talking about family members. |
Examples
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Calling out when you get home
Asking politely about a friend's mother
Talking about your family
Tips
Koreans almost always say 우리 엄마 ("our mom") instead of 내 엄마 ("my mom"), even when they are an only child. Saying 내 엄마 sounds odd or overly possessive.
엄마 is not just for children. Many adults keep calling their mother 엄마 their whole life. 어머니 sounds more formal and is common in speeches, writing and when a grown man speaks respectfully about his mother.
When you meet a friend's mother, greet her as 어머님 (eomeonim), not 엄마. Using 엄마 for someone else's mom would sound strange.
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between 엄마 and 어머니?
Both mean mother. 엄마 is the warm, casual word like "mom," while 어머니 is more formal and respectful, like "mother."
How do you say "I love you, Mom" in Korean?
Say 엄마 사랑해 (eomma saranghae) casually, or 엄마 사랑해요 (eomma saranghaeyo) to sound a little more polite and sweet.
Does Korea have Mother's Day?
Korea celebrates Parents' Day, 어버이날 (eobeoinal), on May 8 for both mothers and fathers. People often give carnations and say thank you to their parents.