In Korean, the word “eomeoni” (어머니) means “mother”. Meanwhile, the mother's nickname that is more familiar (eg "ma" or "mama") in Korean is "eomma" (엄마). Read this article to find out the pronunciation and context of the word!
Step
Step 1. Say "eomma" (엄마)
Pronounce this word as "eom-ma". The vowel "eo" is read like a combination of the vowel "e" in the word "why" and the vowel "o" (make sure the mouth is flatter, and not round when pronouncing the vowel). This word is a familiar form or nickname for the word “mother” (eg “ma” or “mama”). You can use this word when speaking directly to your own mother, or telling someone else about it.
Pay attention to the Latin spelling of the word. The written syllables displayed are approximate pronunciations of Korean words. Some people (especially in English) spell the word as “umma” or “eomma”
Step 2. Say "eomeoni" (어머니)
Pronounce this word as “eo-meo-ni”. This word is the formal form of the word "mother". You can use it when telling someone about your own mother, or referring to someone else's mother you haven't met.
Step 3. Listen to the pronunciation of the word from a live Korean
If you have a friend who is Korean (or knows Korean), ask him or her to say the word and guide you using the correct tone of voice. If not, look for videos on YouTube, voice recordings, and examples of conversations/talks on the internet. There are various tutorials that can help you pronounce Korean vocabulary correctly. You may find it easier to imitate the pronunciation of a language's vocabulary if you hear it pronounced out loud.
Try watching Korean movies or television shows to get an idea of the rhythm of the language. There's no guarantee that you'll hear the word “mom” often, but this exercise can make it easier for you to say the word if you understand the context
Step 4. Start the pronunciation slowly, and increase the speed of your speech
The inflection on a word may be different from what you usually hear so take the time to understand the tone of each syllable. Combine each syllable once you can pronounce each syllable confidently and correctly. Try saying "Eomma!" quickly. Native Korean speakers tend to pronounce the word quickly, so your pronunciation will sound more authentic if you can follow them.
Step 5. Try learning Korean
You can call your own mother “eomma” outside of the context of the conversation, whether or not you can speak Korean fluently. However, using the word becomes more effective if you can speak some Korean. Browse the selection of available online resources, buy basic Korean guidebooks, and practice your Korean whenever you get the chance.
