Renán L. Cuervo
Content Writer
Celebrate your mom in a unique way this year! Learn how to wish her a happy Mother’s Day in the 11 different languages we offer in the Fluent Forever app!
Mother’s Day around the world
Happy Mother’s Day, everyone!
The decision is unanimous worldwide: moms rule! So much so, in fact, that most countries celebrate an annual Mother’s Day to show their appreciation for such a beloved pillar of society.
Depending on the country, the date of Mother’s Day changes. The United States, for example, celebrates it on the second Sunday of May, while most Arab countries do so on March 21st. Regardless of the date or nation, the same sentiments of love and recognition for mothers are acknowledged worldwide.
So, if you’re wondering how you can wish a happy Mother’s Day in a unique way, stick around. Today, we’ll show you how to say Happy Mother’s Day in different languages – 11 of them, to be exact.
Before diving in, remember that you can learn any of the languages on this list by downloading the Fluent Forever app. Also, with our Live Coaching program, you can get your own private language coach for Spanish (Latin American and Castilian), French, Italian, Japanese, German, and Mandarin (with more languages coming soon!)
Hint: Read more about what a language coach is and if you should work with one!
Happy Mother’s Day in different languages
1. Happy Mother’s Day in Spanish
How do you greet your mother-in-law with Happy Mother’s Day in Spanish? You can simply say Feliz día de las madres! [feˈlis̬ ˈðia ðelas̬ ˈmaðɾes].
What if you’re writing a Mother’s Day card in Spanish? In that case, you can scribble Gracias por ser tan buena madre [ˈɡɾasjas poɾ ˈsɛɾ ˈtãm ˈbwena ˈmaðɾe] or [ˈɡɾaθjas poɾ ˈsɛɾ ˈtãm ˈbwena ˈmaðɾe], which means “Thank you for being such a great mom.” She’ll love you for it!
Hint: Don’t miss the date! While Mother’s Day in Spain is on the first Sunday of May, it’s held annually on May 10th in Guatemala, Mexico, and El Salvador.
2. Happy Mother’s Day in French
On the last Sunday of May, during the Fête des mères [fɛt de mɛʁ], or Mother’s Day in French, People will say Bonne fête des mères [bɔn fɛt de mɛʁ] or Joyeuse fête des mères [ˌʒwaˈjøz fɛt de mɛʁ] to their beloved moms.
3. Happy Mother’s Day in Portuguese
During Mother’s Day, which falls on the first Sunday of May in Portugal and on the second Sunday in Brazil, people say Feliz día das mães [feˈliʒ ˈdʒiɐ ˈdaʒ ˈmɐ̃j̃ʃ]. Like in other countries, it’s customary to give your mom flowers, presents, or take her out for dinner.
4. Happy Mother’s Day in Russian
Wishing your mom a happy Mother’s Day in Russian is as easy as saying С Днем Матери [z‿ ˈdnʲɵm ˈmatʲɪrʲɪ] (s dnyom me-te-ri). Russia observes Mother’s Day on March 8th, International Women’s Day, along with other Ex-Soviet Union countries.
Hint: Check out this list of amazing female polyglots we made for International Women’s Day!
5. Happy Mother’s Day in Italian
Italians, who celebrate this day on the second Sunday of May, wish their mamme (mothers) a happy Mother’s Day by saying Felice festa della mamma! [feˈlitʃe ˈfɛsta ˈdelːa ˈmamːa].
Hint: Are you enjoying learning how to say Happy Mother’s Day in different languages? Find out how to say Happy Birthday in different languages, too!
6. Happy Mother’s Day in German
How do you wish a happy Mother’s Day in German? Simple! It’s Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Muttertag! [ˈhɛrtslɪçən ˈɡlʏkvʊnʃ ˈtsʊm ˈmʊtɐˌtak]. Like in other European countries on this list, Mother’s Day in Germany takes place on the second Sunday of May.
7. Happy Mother’s Day in Japanese
The Japanese, who also celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May, don’t really use “Happy Mother’s Day,” which translates to お母さん、母の日おめでとう 。[o ka ːsaɴ ha hano çi omedetoː] (Okaasan, haha no hi omedetou). An alternative phrase you can use is お母さん、いつもありがとう。[o ka ːsaɴ tsɯᵝmo a ɾʲi ŋatoː] (Okaasan itsumo arigatou), meaning “Mother, thank you for everything.”
8. Happy Mother’s Day in Chinese
母親節快樂 [ái mu kiù r ēn zhèiài kèi yōu ài ái lu r] (mǔ qīn jié kuài lè) is how you say Happy Mother’s Day in Chinese. This day is celebrated nationwide on the second Sunday of May.
9. Happy Mother’s Day in Hebrew
Interestingly, in the 1990s, Mother’s Day was reconfigured as Family Day in Israel. The change sought to encompass and celebrate the different types of family structures in Israeli society, as well as the increasingly egalitarian roles within them. Family Day is celebrated on Shevat 30 of the Jewish calendar.
If you still want to wish your mom a happy Mother’s Day in Hebrew, you can say יום אם שמח (Yom em same’ach).
10. Happy Mother’s Day in Korean
Mother’s Day is no longer officially celebrated in Korea. During the 1950s, the festivity was replaced by Parent’s Day in order to honor both heads of family. Today, Parent’s Day falls on May 8th every year.
However, if you want to compliment your mom with some kind Korean words, you can always say 엄마 사랑합니다 (Eomma saranghamnida), which means “I love you, mama.”
11. Happy Mother’s Day in Dutch
Lastly, you’ll hear Fijne Moederdag! [ˈfɛi̯nə ˈmudəɹˌdɑχ] uttered during Mother’s Day in The Netherlands, celebrated on the second Sunday of May every year.
And that’s how you say Happy Mother’s Day in different languages! Take your pick and wish your mom a special one in a truly unique way.
…And if you’re looking to impress her even more, how about treating her to a language learning adventure? Our Fluent Forever app is only a download click away.
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