madre
“madre” means “mother” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
mother
Also: mom
📝 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.
source
Also: cause, mother
📝 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.
awesome / cool
Also: great
📝 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.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: madre
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence uses 'madre' in a figurative way, meaning 'source' or 'origin'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes directly from the Latin word 'māter,' which also meant 'mother.' It's one of the oldest and most stable words across many related languages, showing how important the concept is.
First recorded: Ancient Latin
Cognates (Related words)
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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.