nanay

Nanay is a Filipino term meaning mother, widely used in Tagalog and other Philippine languages to address one’s mother or an older woman with affection and respect. It functions as an informal, familial kinship term and may stand alone as a direct address (Nanay, salamat) or be paired with a name (Nanay Rosa). It coexists with more formal terms such as ina, but nanay emphasizes warmth and closeness.

In everyday life, nanay carries cultural significance as a caregiver and central figure in many families, reflecting the importance of motherhood and family cohesion in Filipino society. The term is also used to show courtesy to older women who are not one’s mother, similar to ma’am or madam in English.

Variants and usage notes: While nanay is common in Tagalog, it is also used in other languages across the Philippines, with regional pronunciations and preferences. Some families may prefer ina for formal contexts or Inay in certain regions. The term appears frequently in Filipino literature, music, and media as a symbol of maternal care, sacrifice, and resilience.