mamo

Everyday

1. (Ukrainian) «Mamo» is how you call your mother in Ukrainian — «Mum!» or «Mom!» — the form used when speaking to her (from «mama», mother). tree →
2. It is not an English word. tree →

In the lessons

In lessons about Ukrainian heard on the street, children hear «Mamo!» when a Ukrainian child calls their mum. To an English ear it sounds like MAH-mo. Ukrainian changes the end of a name or word when you call someone: «mama» becomes «mamo». Common phrases: «Mamo, dyvys!» (Mum, look!), «Mamo, ya tut» (Mum, I'm here).

Examples

• «Mamo!» shouted the little boy at the playground. tree →
• In Ukrainian, a child calls «Mamo!» to their mum. tree →
• Our new classmate from Kyiv says «mamo» when she rings her mum. tree →
• «Mamo, dyvys!» means «Mum, look!» in Ukrainian. tree →
• Mamo sounds a bit like «Mama» in English. tree →
• «Mamo» is not an English word. tree →

Note

Ukrainian in Latin letters (in Ukrainian script: «мамо»). It is the vocative case — the form for calling someone — of «mama». Not used in English sentences except when quoting Ukrainian speakers. Do not write «a mamo».