okaasan

Okaasan is the Japanese word for "mother" and is used as a respectful form of address for one's own mother, as well as a general term for mothers in a family or community. The standard written form is お母さん (okaasan), formed from the honorific prefix お, the kanji 母 for "mother," and the polite suffix さん.

In everyday speech, variations reflect different levels of closeness and formality. Casual speech often uses かあさん (kaasan) or the affectionate めいろい表現 such as おかあちゃん (okaachan). The more formal or respectful variant is お母様 (okaasama), which is used when referring to someone else’s mother in polite or ceremonial contexts, or when speaking to someone who is not a close family member.

Usage contexts include addressing one’s own mother directly, speaking about one’s mother in the third person, and addressing or referring to another person’s mother in a respectful way. The choice of formality depends on relationship, setting, and speaker intention.

Cultural notes: In Japanese culture, family relations and politeness play a central role in language. Okaasan carries warmth and care in many contexts, and it frequently appears in literature, film, and media to evoke family life. While the term is common in everyday life, it is important to choose the appropriate level of formality when addressing someone else’s mother.

Related terms include otousan (father) and kinship terms for other relatives, as well as variations like okaachan for informal affection and okāsama for heightened formality.