A time dedicated to pay tribute to mothers all over the world and celebrate motherhood, Mother’s Day became an official U.S. holiday in 1914 and usually falls on the second Sunday of May in most countries worldwide. The date changes annually because it is linked to Easter, which is different every year as it is determined by the lunar calendar. In the U.K., it is held exactly three weeks before Easter. While observation dates and celebrations vary, this holiday traditionally involves presenting flowers, cards, and gifts to mothers, and in the digital age, sharing “throwback” photos and greetings on social networks. This year, we asked Gengo staff from 16 different nationalities: What are the endearing ways to say mom in your country? Turns out there’s quite a few words for mom out there!

U.S./Canada

Celebrates Mother’s Day on: second Sunday of May

• Mom, Mommy, Momma, Mama, Maman (Quebecoise)

Italy

Celebrates Mother’s Day on: second Sunday of May

• Mamma, Ma

Australia

Celebrates Mother’s Day on: second Sunday of May

• Mum, Mummy, Mother, Mumma, Ma

Japan

Celebrates Mother’s Day on: second Sunday of May

• Oka-san (お母さん), Ka-san (母さん), Oka-chan (お母ちゃん), Ka-chan (母ちゃん), Mama (ママ), Ofukuro (お袋)

The way the Japanese address their parents is based on respect and hierarchy. It may also change over the years. Children would normally use “Mama” but when they grow up, some would address their mothers as oka-san or ka-san. On the other hand, oka-sama (お母様) is considered the most respectful way to refer to someone else’s mother.

Image by @kayonokami via Twenty20

France/Belgium

Celebrates Mother’s Day on: last Sunday of May (France), second Sunday of May (Belgium)

• Maman (ma.mɑ̃)
  (The “n” is silent but it makes the “a” nasal)

Taiwan

Celebrates Mother’s Day on: second Sunday of May

• 媽媽 (Māmā), 媽咪 (Māmi), 母親 (Mǔqīn), 娘 (), 卡桑 (Ka-san)

Singapore

Celebrates Mother’s Day on: second Sunday of May

• Mama, Ma, Mummy, Mum, Ibu (Bahasa Melayu), Amma (Tamil)

Vietnam

Celebrates Women’s Day on: March 8 and October 20

• Mẹ, Má, Mạ, Mệ, Bu, Bầm, U

Vietnam honors mothers and all women in society every 8th March, International Women’s Day, and every 20th October, National Women’s Day.

Image source

Malawi

Celebrates Mother’s Day on: second Monday of October

• Amai, Ama, Mama, Mom

Spain

Celebrates Mother’s Day on: first Sunday of May

• Mamá, Mami

Philippines

Celebrates Mother’s Day on: second Sunday of May

• Inay, ‘Nay, Nanay, Ma, Mama, Mom, Mami, Mommy, Momsy

In the Philippines, where figures of speech are commonly used in everyday language, mother is referred to as “ilaw ng tahanan”, which means, “light of the home.”

Image by Din Jimenez via Flickr under CC

Russia

Celebrates Mother’s Day on: March 8 (with International Women’s Day)

• Мама (Mama), мамочка (Mamochka), мамуля (Mamulya), маменька (Mamen’ka)

In Russia, мама (Mama, Mom) has many diminutive forms and the meaning varies slightly depending on usage. A typical affectionate way to address one’s mom is мамочка (Mamochka), мамуля (Mamulya) is used in an affectionate and playful sense, маменька (Mamen’ka) is affectionate and old-fashioned, while маманя (Mamanya) is affectionate but disdainful.

Morocco

Celebrates Mother’s Day on: last Sunday of May

• Mama (ماما)

Hungary

Celebrates Mother’s Day on: first Sunday of May

• Anyu, Anyus, Anci

Do you have a special name you call your mother? How do people address mothers in your country? Share them with us below!