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마마. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
마마, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
마마 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
마마 you have here. The definition of the word
마마 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
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Korean
Pronunciation
- (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA(key):
- Phonetic hangul:
- Though still prescribed in Standard Korean, most speakers in both Koreas no longer distinguish vowel length.
| Romanizations |
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| Revised Romanization? | mama |
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| Revised Romanization (translit.)? | mama |
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| McCune–Reischauer? | mama |
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| Yale Romanization? | māma |
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Etymology 1
Sino-Korean word from 媽媽 (“mum”), for the sense "smallpox" compare Turkmen mama.
Noun
마마 • (mama) (hanja 媽媽)
- (honorific) Your Majesty, His Majesty, Her Majesty
- (honorific) Madame for a concubine of an ancient high-ranking official
- (honorific) goddess who is allegedly responsible for smallpox
- smallpox, pockmark
(Majesty):
(smallpox):
- 별성마마 (別星媽媽, byeolseongmama, “smallpox”), originally the honorific for the goddess who is allegedly responsible for smallpox
- 손님마마 (-媽媽, sonnimmama, “smallpox”), literally "guest the honorable"
- 역신마마 (疫神媽媽, yeoksinmama, “crowned prince”), originally the honorific for the goddess who is allegedly responsible for smallpox
Etymology 2
Appears to be a loanword from Russian мама (mama). Compare 빠빠 (ppappa).
Noun
마마 • (mama)
- (Russia) mother, mum
2015 February 12, 강 발렌지나 [gang ballenjina], “남편을 빌려준 여인 [nampyeoneul billyeojun yeoin]”, in 한국구비문학대계 [han'gukgubimunhakdaegye], 우즈베키스탄 타슈켄트 [ujeubekiseutan tasyukenteu]:그래 우리 마마 그 소냐를 욕했지.- Geurae uri mama geu sonya-reul yokhaetji.
- So my mum cursed Sonya.