unknown, 17 strokes, radical 女, rank #66001, Very Hard
嬷
mó
Taiwan pr. [ma1]
unknown, 17 strokes, radical 女, rank #66001, Very Hard
嬷
mā
mother
n, 17 strokes, radical 女, rank #66001, Very Hard
嬷
mā
dialectal or obsolete equivalent of 媽|妈[ma1]
unknown, 17 strokes, radical 女, rank #66001, Very Hard
嬷
mā
Taiwan pr. [ma1]
unknown, 17 strokes, radical 女, rank #66001, Very Hard
mā(ma1)
primary
T1
1mother
2dialectal or obsolete equivalent of 媽|妈[ma1]
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
嬷(嬤)mā(ma1)
The character 嬷 (mā) is a dialectal or obsolete term that serves as an equivalent to the more commonly used 媽 (mā), meaning 'mother' in Mandarin. It may be found in certain regions or historical texts but is not widely used in contemporary language. Understanding this term enhances comprehension of regional dialects and historical literature.
Strokes17Radical女Frequency#66001DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Taiwanese culture, the term 嬷 may be encountered in older literature or regional dialects, reflecting the historical significance of familial terms. The concept of motherhood and the specific terms used can vary significantly across different Chinese-speaking communities.
Memory Tip
Imagine a mother (mā) calling her child while holding a traditional Taiwanese tea set. The character 嬷 (mā) resembles a nurturing figure, with the radical 女 (nǚ) indicating 'female' or 'motherly' traits, and the sound 'mā' connects to the familiar call of a mother.
Meanings of 嬷
mā(ma1)
primary
1mother
2dialectal or obsolete equivalent of 媽|妈[ma1]
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 嬷
嬷Simplified
嬤Traditional
17Strokes
女Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 嬷
Podcast: 嬷
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 嬷
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a mother (mā) calling her child while holding a traditional Taiwanese tea set. The character 嬷 (mā) resembles a nurturing figure, with the radical 女 (nǚ) indicating 'female' or 'motherly' traits, and the sound 'mā' connects to the familiar call of a mother.
Usage Notes
Be cautious when using 嬷, as it may sound outdated or overly formal in modern contexts. It is primarily used in specific dialects, so it may not be understood universally. Common collocations with 媽 (mā) include 妈妈 (māmā), meaning 'mom', so using the more common term is advisable in daily conversation.
HSK Study Tips
Although 嬷 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, students at HSK Level 1 should focus on mastering 妈 (mā) first, as it is essential for everyday communication regarding family. Understanding 嬷 can provide deeper linguistic insights into the evolution of language in different regions.
Cultural Note
In Taiwanese culture, the term 嬷 may be encountered in older literature or regional dialects, reflecting the historical significance of familial terms. The concept of motherhood and the specific terms used can vary significantly across different Chinese-speaking communities.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 嬷 with 妈 and use it incorrectly in modern contexts. For example, saying '我爱我的嬷' instead of '我爱我的妈' (I love my mother) may lead to confusion.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 嬷
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 嬷 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 嬷 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 嬷
嬷 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 1
Complete the Sentence
" 是为了钱男人家才娶她们的, "____嬷断然说.
" Men mahys dem fer dey money,'said Mammy firmly.
Example Sentences for 嬷 (1)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
" 是为了钱男人家才娶她们的, "嬷嬷断然说.
" " shì wéi le qián nán rén jiā cái qǔ tā mén," de , " mó mó duàn.
" Men mahys dem fer dey money,'said Mammy firmly.
Cultural Notes for 嬷
🏮Cultural insight
In Taiwanese culture, the term 嬷 may be encountered in older literature or regional dialects, reflecting the historical significance of familial terms. The concept of motherhood and the specific terms used can vary significantly across different Chinese-speaking communities.
Word Family of 嬷
Words Containing This Character2
嬷嬷wet nurse嬤嬤
嬷māTaiwan pr. [mā]嬤
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 嬷嬷 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 嬷
No, 嬷 is not commonly used today and is considered dialectal or obsolete.
While both mean 'mother', 嬷 is less commonly used and may be found in historical or regional contexts.
It's better to use 妈 (mā) in everyday conversation, as it is more widely understood.
