Every single language has very specific words to express the term "mother", after all it is the first word pronounced by many children. Spanish is no exception. Whether you intend to use the word mother or a more colloquial term like mamá, learning these words (and knowing when to use them) is a great help in getting your bearings in a Spanish-speaking country.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using Mamá
Step 1. Mamá allows you to translate the word "mom" into Spanish. The first syllable of this word is "but", which must be pronounced as it is read.
Step 2. The second syllable of the word is instead "má", so when you pronounce it try to mark well and slightly lengthen the final accent, raising the tone slightly
If you write the term, remember that the accent is grave.
Even in Italian there are words with a final accent, such as "why" or "so", so the pronunciation shouldn't give you any problems. The only thing to remember is that the final accent is grave (in case you have to spell the word)
Step 3. Join the syllables to pronounce the whole word, ie mamá
Make sure you stress the second syllable. This will cause you to pronounce the first one a little faster, making it less pronounced.
- If you use the word in a sentence, remember that it requires the article la. Example: La otra mamá es mejor ("The other mother is better").
- The word mamá is informal, but certainly not vulgar or derogatory. It is usually used by children, children or adults who are.
Step 4. Avoid saying the mama, without an accent
The word mama is similar to mamá, only it has no accent. However, it has a totally different meaning: it means "breast". If you make this mistake, your interlocutor will understand you anyway, but it is preferable to be clear about the difference in order to avoid embarrassing situations.
Method 2 of 3: Using Mother
Step 1. In Spanish the word madre has the same meaning as it does in Italian
The pronunciation is also pretty much the same, so you shouldn't have any difficulties
Step 2. To be picky, the only difference is the letter "r", which in Spanish tends to be more pronounced and vibrant than in Italian
Having trouble with the Spanish "r"? Try moving your tongue in a slightly different way, making it vibrate a little longer on the palate
Step 3. The word mother has a more formal connotation in Spanish and is used in a similar way to Italian
- In some Mexican dialects and slang mother means "not trendy" or "failed"
- Again, you must use the article la if you need to insert the word in a sentence. Example: La madre dijo, 'limpia tu habitación ("The mother said:' clean your room '").
Method 3 of 3: Using Slang Terms
Step 1. The word mami can be used to address your mother in a particularly affectionate way, but in most cases it is a term of endearment used by men
It's a term you've probably heard a lot in Latin American popular music and culture. It comes from the word mamá, but has a similar use to the term baby in English. It can be translated as "beautiful" or "sweetheart". It's an affectionate term to especially address your partner.
It is pronounced as it is written
Step 2. Use the word vieja, which literally means "old"
Also in Italian this word is sometimes used to refer to one's mother, especially in the expression "my / your old mother", but it is not always the most courteous way to do it, so you should use it only in an informal context.
The only difficulty in pronouncing this word lies in the letter "j", similar to the English aspirated ac
Step 3. Try using the word jefa, the feminine of jefe, meaning "boss" or "master"
It is sometimes used as an informal term to refer to one's mother. Children use it to talk about their mothers and husbands to talk about their wives.
Also in this case the only letter difficult to pronounce is the "j", similar to the English aspirated ac
Step 4. Use the diminutive -ita
Adding -ita (or -ito, the masculine form) to a word gives it a tender connotation. It is a bit like adding the suffix "-ina" in Italian (for example in the word "mammina"). Being informal, you should use it in a family context. If the word ends in a vowel, it is sometimes necessary to insert a "c" before -ita or delete the vowel. Here you will find a useful article on Spanish diminutives.
- The suffix reads as it is written. Here are some examples where it has been used:
- Mamacita (the "c" can be pronounced like the "th" in English or as if it were an "s", depending on the type of Spanish you speak).
- Viejita (pay attention to the "j", which is pronounced similar to the aspirated ac in English).
- Jefacita (also in this case pay attention to the "j").
Advice
- The words papa and papa are also similar to Italian (just remember that the accent of the word papa is grave).
- Learning to pronounce these words like a native speaker helps make a good impression. This site offers a useful and comprehensive guide to Spanish pronunciation.
