แม่

mɛ̂ɛ

Meanings

2NounB1

form of address for a woman (traditional/familiar)

A familiar or affectionate form of address for a woman, often preceding her name or a descriptive term.

Examples

3 more examples
3NounB1

prefix: female; main; base

Used as a prefix/title indicating female role or principal/base element (e.g., แม่บ้านแม่บ้านmɛ̂ɛ-bâan1internal administrator (figurative)2homemaker; housewife3housekeeper; domestic worker ‘housewife; homemaker’, แม่แบบแม่แบบmɛ̂ɛ-bɛ̀ɛp1template; pattern; master copy2role model; exemplar ‘template; master’).

Examples

3 more examples

Tones

See how the spelling sets each syllable's tone, step by step.

How the tone is decided

  1. Consonant classLow class
  2. Tone markMai ek
  3. Syllable endingLive syllableNot needed here: the tone mark decides.

Low class consonants

คฅฆงชซฌญฑฒณทธนพฟภมยรลวฬฮ

Result

Falling tone

mɛ̂ɛ

Starts high, rises a little, then drops clearly.

Low class + Mai ek → Falling

Tone chart

Every class and spelling pattern, with this syllable outlined.

Mid classHigh classLow class
No mark + liveMidRisingMid
No mark + dead shortLowLowHigh
No mark + dead longLowLowFalling
Mai ekLowLowFalling
Mai thoFallingFallingHigh
Mai triHigh——
Mai chattawaRising——