míe

Mãe is the Portuguese noun for mother, referring to a female parent. It is used to denote one’s own mother, to address a mother in familiar speech, and more broadly to indicate motherhood or maternal figures in both human and animal contexts. The term also appears as a respectful or affectionate title for women who act in a caregiving or protective role.

Etymology and form: The word derives from Latin mater, through the evolution of the Romance languages. In Portuguese the form mãe shows nasalization of the a vowel, marked by the diacritic tilde on ã. The final e is not typically stressed in pronunciation, and the word is usually monosyllabic in speech. The plural form is mães.

Usage and contexts: In everyday language, alguém may say “minha mãe” (my mother) or simply “mãe” when addressing a mother. The term participates in various compounds and titles, such as mãe de santo (a priestess in Afro-Brazilian religions like Candomblé and Umbanda), mãe de leite (a wet nurse), and mãe de família (head of a household). A more intimate variant used with children is mamãe, while mame or mãe can appear in formal or neutral contexts.

Cultural and social notes: Across the Portuguese-speaking world, motherhood carries significant social and cultural meaning, shaping concepts such as maternidade (motherhood) and parental responsibilities. The word is widely used in literature, media, and everyday life, reflecting the central role of the figure of the mother in family and community life.