母
JLPT N5
Mother
Readings
On’yomi: ボ (bo)
Kun’yomi: はは (haha)
はは (haha) – mother (used when referring to one’s own mother)
Detailed Explanation
Vocabulary
母, お母さん, 母親, 母国, 母の日,
はは, おかあさん, ははおや, ぼこく, ははのひ,
mother, mom/ mother (formal), mother country, Mother’s Day,
Example Sentences
母は優しいです。
ははは やさしいです。
My mother is kind.
お母さんに電話します。
おかあさんに でんわします。
I call my mom.
母親として頑張ります。
ははおやとして がんばります。
I do my best as a mother.
日本は私の母国です。
にほんは わたしの ぼこくです。
Japan is my mother country.
母の日に花を贈ります。
ははのひに はなを おくります。
I give flowers on Mother’s Day.
Cultural Note
母 (mother) is highly respected in Japanese culture:
1. Family structure:
o The mother (母 / はは) is central to daily family life, child-rearing, and household management.
2. Honorifics:
o When referring to other people’s mother, Japanese use お母さん (おかあさん, okaasan) to show respect.
o Referring to your own mother as はは is humble and appropriate in formal contexts.
3. Compound significance:
o Words like 母語 (ぼご, mother tongue), 母校 (ぼこう, alma mater), and 母性 (ぼせい, maternal instinct) reflect the cultural importance of nurturing and origin.
4. Cultural symbolism:
o Mothers are seen as the foundation of the family, embodying care, guidance, and support.
o Many Japanese festivals and expressions honor mothers, e.g., 母の日 (ははのひ, Mother’s Day).
1. Family structure:
o The mother (母 / はは) is central to daily family life, child-rearing, and household management.
2. Honorifics:
o When referring to other people’s mother, Japanese use お母さん (おかあさん, okaasan) to show respect.
o Referring to your own mother as はは is humble and appropriate in formal contexts.
3. Compound significance:
o Words like 母語 (ぼご, mother tongue), 母校 (ぼこう, alma mater), and 母性 (ぼせい, maternal instinct) reflect the cultural importance of nurturing and origin.
4. Cultural symbolism:
o Mothers are seen as the foundation of the family, embodying care, guidance, and support.
o Many Japanese festivals and expressions honor mothers, e.g., 母の日 (ははのひ, Mother’s Day).