# mẹ meaning in Vietnamese: mum (A1)

> mẹ means “mum, mother” in Vietnamese. It can also mean you or I. Examples with audio, in Northern and Southern wording.

Source: https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/me-mother/ · Updated 2026-10-31

**mẹ**: mother · you or I

Level: A1 (our estimate)

Typed without accents: me

## 1. mother (noun)

mum, mother

In Saigon many families also say *má*.

- Mẹ tui là giáo viên. — My mom is a teacher.
- Mẹ em nấu ăn ngon lắm. — My mom's a great cook.

In Saigon you say [má](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/ma-mum/#s_ma_mum).

Level: A1

Grammar: [You and I are family words: anh, chị, em, cô, chú, ba / mẹ and con, thầy / cô and em](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/address-kinship/)

## 2. you or I (pronoun)

Between mother and child, *mẹ* is the mother: I when she speaks, you when her child speaks to her.

- Con ăn đi, mẹ no rồi. — You eat; I'm full. (a mother to her child)
- Mẹ có mệt không? — Are you tired, Mom?
- Saigon: Mẹ ơi, mẹ đi đâu vậy? | Hà Nội: Mẹ ơi, mẹ đi đâu thế? — Mom, where are you going?

Level: A1 · to recognize

Grammar: [You and I are family words: anh, chị, em, cô, chú, ba / mẹ and con, thầy / cô and em](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/address-kinship/)

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Next: [mèo](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/meo-cat/)

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