妈 is a Chinese character with HSK 1 on the new exam.
Etymology
Oracle-bone origin
妈 has no oracle-bone attestation; it is a relatively late phono-semantic compound coined to write the nursery word mā. The semantic component 女 marks it as a female relative, and 马 supplies the sound. The word itself (the syllable mā for mother) is ancient and near-universal across languages, but the written character is a medieval innovation.
Form evolution
Because 妈 only appears after the clerical-to-standard transition, there is no meaningful seal or bronze form to trace. Early dictionaries such as the Guangyun list it as a colloquial variant. The simplified form 妈 (with 马 replacing traditional 馬) was standardised in the 20th century alongside other 馬-radical simplifications.
How the meaning evolved
The character was created specifically to write the existing spoken word for mother, so its meaning has been stable since coinage. In earlier literary Chinese, 母 was the standard written form and 妈 was considered vernacular. The rise of baihua writing in the early 20th century cemented 妈 as the everyday written form.
Cultural note
The reduplicated form 妈妈 is the neutral modern address, while 妈 alone is more intimate or Northern in flavour. In Cantonese and many southern topolects the same character is read maa1, showing how the phonetic 马 tracks the word across dialects.
Basic info
Example sentences
我妈妈很忙。
Wǒ māma hěn máng.
My mom is very busy.
From 妈妈 (HSK 1)
Words containing 妈
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | HSK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 妈妈 | māma | mom | HSK 1 |
On the new HSK 1 exam
Studying for HSK 1? Keep 妈 with the rest of your level.
HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.
Frequently Asked Questions
Appears in these articles
- Chinese 1 Vocabulary List: Essential Words for Your First Year
- Chinese Alphabet: Does It Exist? Everything Beginners Need to Know
- How to Learn Chinese Characters Fast: 5 Proven Methods (2026)
- Chinese Family Words: Every Relationship Term Explained (With Chart)
- Chinese Tones Explained: The Complete Guide for Beginners
Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.