madre
/MAH-dray/
The word "madre" most often means "mother," the woman who gives birth to or raises a child.
madre (Noun)
📝 In Action
Mi madre es muy simpática.
A1My mother is very nice.
Voy a llamar a mi madre por su cumpleaños.
A2I'm going to call my mother for her birthday.
La madre de mi amigo es de Argentina.
A2My friend's mother is from Argentina.
💡 Grammar Points
Always a 'She'
'Madre' is a feminine word, which means you always use 'la' or 'una' before it. For example, 'la madre' (the mother) or 'una madre' (a mother).
❌ Common Pitfalls
'Madre' vs. 'Mamá'
Mistake: "Using 'madre' when talking to your own mother in a casual setting."
Correction: While 'madre' is correct, 'mamá' is much more common and affectionate, like 'mother' vs. 'mom' in English. You'd call out, '¡Mamá!' not '¡Madre!'
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal and Respectful
Use 'madre' on official documents, when speaking formally, or when you want to sound more respectful. It's the standard, default term.
Just like a mother is the origin of a family, "madre" can also refer to the source or cause of something big.
madre (Noun)
📝 In Action
La pereza es la madre de todos los vicios.
B2Laziness is the mother of all vices.
España es considerada la madre patria por muchos países latinoamericanos.
C1Spain is considered the mother country by many Latin American countries.
⭐ Usage Tips
Think Figuratively
This usage is like in English when you say something is the 'mother of...' to mean it's the biggest, the original, or the main cause.
In some regions, especially Mexico, "madre" is part of many slang phrases to say something is "awesome" or "cool."
madre (Adjective / Interjection)
📝 In Action
¡Esta película está a toda madre!
C1This movie is awesome!
El concierto estuvo de poca madre.
C1The concert was incredible.
Me importa una madre lo que pienses.
C2I don't give a damn what you think.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using it Outside of Mexico
Mistake: "¡Qué padre! El viaje fue a toda madre."
Correction: In Spain, you might say: '¡Qué guay! El viaje fue genial.' Using Mexican slang in other countries can be confusing or sound strange.
⭐ Usage Tips
Handle with Care!
Slang with 'madre' can be very positive ('de poca madre') or very negative and vulgar ('me vale madre'). It all depends on the phrase, so listen carefully to how native speakers use it before trying it yourself.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: madre
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence uses 'madre' in a figurative way, meaning 'source' or 'origin'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'madre' and 'mamá'?
'Madre' is the standard, more formal word for 'mother.' 'Mamá' is more informal and affectionate, like 'mom' or 'mommy' in English. You use 'madre' on forms and in formal speech, but you would call your own mother 'mamá'.
Is it true that 'madre' is used in swear words?
Yes, in some regions (especially Mexico and sometimes Spain), 'madre' is part of many strong slang phrases and swear words. These can be very offensive, so it's best to avoid them unless you are very familiar with the local culture and context.
How do you say 'stepmother' or 'mother-in-law'?
A stepmother is 'madrastra,' and a mother-in-law is 'suegra.' Both words are related to 'madre' but have their own specific meanings for different family relationships.