Maman is probably the first word you learned for “mother” in French, and it's certainly the most common. But what about all the other ways French speakers refer to their moms?

From sweet terms of endearment to more formal titles, the French language offers a variety of beautiful and nuanced ways to talk about one of the most important people in our lives.

Let’s dive into 9 different ways to say “mother” in French!

The standard and formal 'mother' – Mère

The standard and formal word for 'mother' in French is mère.

Mère is the direct equivalent of the English word 'mother'. It's the most common and standard term you'll find in dictionaries, official documents, and formal writing.

This word is generally used in more formal or respectful situations. You would use mère when talking about someone's mother in a neutral or formal context, much like you would in English. For example, when discussing family heritage or in a professional setting.

It is important to note that you would almost never call your own mother Mère directly to her face. Doing so would sound extremely formal, distant, or even cold. For direct address, the term maman (mom) is used.

When speaking about your mother to others, using a possessive pronoun like ma mère (my mother) is very common and completely natural. For instance, telling a friend, Ma mère arrive demain (My mother is arriving tomorrow) is standard French.

The word mère is also a key component in many set phrases and compound nouns, such as:

• La fête des Mères: Mother's Day
• Une mère au foyer: A stay-at-home mother
• La langue maternelle: The mother tongue
• La maison mère: The parent company or headquarters

💡 * La mère de mon ami est très gentille. (My friend's mother is very kind.)

• C'est la fête des Mères dimanche. (It's Mother's Day on Sunday.)
• Ma mère m'a appris à cuisiner. (My mother taught me how to cook.)
• Elle est mère de trois enfants. (She is a mother of three children.)

The most common 'mom' or 'mommy' – Maman

The most common 'mom' or 'mommy' – Maman

If you're looking for the direct equivalent of “mom” or “mommy” in French, maman is the word you need. It is the most common and standard term used by children and adults alike to refer to their mother in everyday conversation, carrying a tone of affection and familiarity.

Maman is used both when speaking directly to your mother and when speaking about her to others. For example, a child might shout, “Maman, regarde !” (“Mom, look!”), and an adult might tell a friend, “Je vais appeler ma maman” (“I’m going to call my mom”).

It's important to distinguish maman from mère. While mère also means “mother,” it is far more formal and impersonal. You would see mère on official documents or use it in a very formal context. In day-to-day life, calling your mother mère would sound quite cold and distant; maman is always the warmer, more natural choice.

Much like “mom” in English, maman is often one of the first words a French child learns. It embodies the close, emotional bond with a mother and is used throughout a person's life, from childhood to adulthood, without sounding childish.

As a feminine noun, maman is typically preceded by a possessive adjective like ma maman (my mom), ta maman (your mom), or sa maman (his/her mom). However, when addressing her directly, you simply say, “Bonjour, Maman”.

💡 * Allô Maman, c'est moi. (Hello Mom, it's me.)

• Ma maman prépare le meilleur gâteau au chocolat. (My mom makes the best chocolate cake.)
• Est-ce que ta maman vient dîner ce soir ? (Is your mom coming for dinner tonight?)
• J'ai acheté un cadeau pour ma maman. (I bought a gift for my mom.)

The cute and affectionate 'mommy' – Mamounette

If Maman is the standard affectionate term for 'mom,' then Mamounette is its extra-cute, diminutive form. Think of it as the French equivalent of 'mommy' or 'mummy,' used to show a deep and often child-like affection.

The word is formed by taking the base word Maman (Mom) and adding the suffix -ette. In French, -ette is a common diminutive suffix used to denote something smaller, cuter, or more endearing. This instantly gives Mamounette a warm and tender feel.

You'll most often hear Mamounette used by young children when speaking to their mothers. However, adults may also use it in private or in very close family settings to express a special, tender bond. It carries a strong connotation of love, sweetness, and nostalgia.

While Maman is universally used and understood, Mamounette is more personal and intimate. Using it highlights a particularly close and affectionate relationship. It's not a term you would use in a formal context; it's reserved strictly for expressing love.

💡 * Mamounette, tu es la meilleure ! (Mommy, you're the best!)

• J'ai fait un dessin pour ma mamounette. (I made a drawing for my mommy.)
• Bonne fête, Mamounette chérie ! (Happy Mother's Day, dear Mommy!)

The modern slang for 'mom' – La daronne

The modern slang for 'mom' – La daronne

La daronne is a very popular, informal slang term for 'mother' in French. It's the equivalent of saying 'my old lady' or 'ma' in a very casual, street-smart context, commonly used by younger generations.

Originating from French argot (slang), la daronne has become widespread through pop culture. The masculine equivalent for 'father' is le daron. Both terms are used to refer to one's own parents or the parents of others in a familiar way.

This term is highly informal. You would typically use it when talking about your mom with friends, but you might not call her la daronne to her face unless you have a very casual relationship. It is not appropriate for formal situations.

💡 * Ma daronne m'a appelé dix fois aujourd'hui. (My mom called me ten times today.)

• Je dois y aller, la daronne m'attend pour le dîner. (I have to go, my mom is waiting for me for dinner.)
• C'est un cadeau pour la daronne. (It's a gift for my mom.)
• Le daron et la daronne sont partis en vacances. (My dad and mom went on vacation.)

The 'mother-in-law' or 'stepmother' – Belle-mère

In French, the term belle-mère can be a bit tricky as it refers to two different family members: your 'mother-in-law' and your 'stepmother'.

The most common meaning is 'mother-in-law' – the mother of your spouse or partner. The term literally translates to 'beautiful mother,' a polite and standard way to refer to this relationship.

Belle-mère also means 'stepmother' – the woman who is married to your father but is not your biological mother. This single term covers both roles.

So how do you tell the difference? Context is everything. Usually, the conversation will make it clear whether you are talking about your spouse's mother or your father's wife. If ambiguity is possible, French speakers often clarify, for example, by saying la mère de ma femme (my wife's mother).

Unlike the English term 'stepmother,' which can sometimes carry negative fairytale connotations, belle-mère in French is a neutral and standard term for both family members.

💡 * Ma belle-mère (la mère de mon mari) arrive demain. (My mother-in-law (my husband's mother) is arriving tomorrow.)

• Je vais passer le week-end chez mon père et ma belle-mère. (I'm going to spend the weekend at my father's and my stepmother's house.)
• J'ai offert des fleurs à ma belle-mère pour son anniversaire. (I gave flowers to my mother-in-law for her birthday.)
• Depuis que mon père s'est remarié, je m'entends bien avec ma belle-mère. (Since my father remarried, I get along well with my stepmother.)

The biological 'mother' (formal) – Génitrice

Génitrice is the formal, biological term for a female parent who has given birth to a child. It is the direct equivalent of the English words “genitrix” or “biological mother” and focuses strictly on the genetic and birth-giving role.

This term is almost exclusively used in legal, administrative, or scientific contexts. You will find génitrice in documents related to adoption, surrogacy, or inheritance, where distinguishing the biological parent from the social or adoptive parent is necessary.

In everyday conversation, calling someone a génitrice is extremely cold and detached. It intentionally strips away the emotional, nurturing aspect of motherhood implied by the common word mère (mother). Using it to refer to one's own mother would be considered highly unusual and possibly offensive, implying a lack of a loving relationship.

In summary, while mère refers to the role of a mother in a social and emotional sense, génitrice refers specifically and formally to the biological fact of having given birth. Reserve this word for formal or legal discussions, not for talking about your mom.

💡 * Le nom de la génitrice est requis sur l'acte de naissance. (The name of the biological mother is required on the birth certificate.)

• Il a été élevé par sa mère adoptive et n'a jamais rencontré sa génitrice. (He was raised by his adoptive mother and never met his biological mother.)
• D'un point de vue purement biologique, elle est sa génitrice. (From a purely biological point of view, she is his genitrix.)

The 'mother hen' – Mère poule

The French expression une mère poule literally translates to 'a mother hen.' It is a common term used to describe a mother who is very doting, protective, and perhaps a little overly anxious about her children, much like a hen fussing over her chicks.

While it can be used affectionately, the term often carries a humorous or slightly critical connotation, implying that the mother is a 'worrier' who 'hovers.' It can be used as a noun, as in 'C'est une vraie mère poule,' or adjectivally, for example, 'Elle est très mère poule.'

💡 * Ma mère est une vraie mère poule ; elle s'inquiète dès que je ne réponds pas au téléphone. (My mother is a real mother hen; she worries as soon as I don't answer the phone.)

• Arrête d'être une mère poule et laisse-le prendre ses propres décisions. (Stop being a mother hen and let him make his own decisions.)
• Avec ses employés, le patron est un peu une mère poule. (With his employees, the boss is a bit of a mother hen.)

The very informal, shortened 'mom' – 'Man

The very informal, shortened 'mom' – 'Man

'Man is a very common, informal contraction of maman (mom/mommy). It is the direct equivalent of saying 'Mom' in English and is primarily used in spoken French.

This term is used affectionately by children and adults alike when speaking directly to their mother in a casual, familiar setting. You will hear it constantly in everyday family life but would not use it in a formal context.

As a spoken contraction, you'll hear 'man far more often than you'll see it written. In writing, it's reserved for very informal communication like text messages or personal notes.

💡 * 'Man, tu es où ? (Mom, where are you?)

• J'ai appelé 'man pour lui dire la nouvelle. (I called Mom to tell her the news.)
• 'Man, on mange quoi ce soir ? (Mom, what are we eating tonight?)

1. The Literary (and Often Wicked) 'Stepmother' – Marâtre

The French word marâtre directly translates to 'stepmother,' but it is far from a neutral term. It carries a strong, pejorative connotation, almost exclusively meaning a 'wicked' or 'cruel' stepmother. This term is deeply rooted in literature and folklore, evoking the classic fairytale antagonist.

You'll most often encounter marâtre in the context of stories like Cendrillon (Cinderella) or Blanche-Neige (Snow White). The word perfectly encapsulates the archetype of the evil stepmother who is jealous, abusive, or cruel to her stepchildren. Its usage immediately signals a negative and often malicious character.

In modern, everyday French, you would not use marâtre to refer to a stepmother in a neutral or positive way. The correct and standard term is belle-mère. While belle-mère also means 'mother-in-law,' context makes the meaning clear. Using marâtre to describe someone's stepmother today would be considered a serious insult.

In short: use marâtre when discussing literature, fairytales, or when intentionally describing a stepmother in a very negative light. For all other situations, the appropriate and respectful term is belle-mère.

💡 * Dans le conte, la marâtre de Cendrillon est particulièrement méchante. (In the fairytale, Cinderella's stepmother is particularly mean.)

• Il a qualifié sa belle-mère de marâtre après une grosse dispute. (He called his stepmother a wicked stepmother after a big argument.)
• Mon père s'est remarié ; ma belle-mère est une personne très gentille. (My father remarried; my stepmother is a very kind person.)
• Le mot 'marâtre' a une connotation presque toujours négative. (The word 'marâtre' almost always has a negative connotation.)

Are there other ways to say 'mother' in French?

Are there other ways to say “mother” in French?

Our list features the most common ways to say “mother” in French, from the standard mère to the affectionate maman. However, French is a rich language with many other terms, including regionalisms, older expressions, and modern slang.

You can uncover more terms by doing an online search for “comment dire mère en ___” and filling in the blank with a specific Francophone region like Quebec, Senegal, or Belgium. You might be surprised by the local flavors you find!

When you encounter a new synonym for mère, always check its definition and try to see how it's used in context. Some words can be very informal or even outdated, so it's good to know before you use them in conversation.

Pay close attention as you watch French-language movies, listen to music, and read books. Immersion is one of the best ways to discover the subtle and varied vocabulary that native speakers use to talk about their families and mothers.

For a deeper dive into related words like 'motherhood' (maternité) or 'mother-in-law' (belle-mère), the WordReference entry for mère is an excellent and reliable starting point.

I hope this article has helped you better understand how to talk about mothers in French. Let’s end with a touching quote from French poet Victor Hugo: “Une mère est un ange qui nous regarde, qui nous enseigne à aimer.” (A mother is an angel who watches over us, who teaches us to love.)