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Happy Mother’s Day! 母親節快樂 mǔqīn jié kuàilè 母亲节快乐 is how we say “Happy Mother’s Day” in Mandarin.
母親 mǔqīn 母亲 is a respectful title for mother in Chinese. It is used in classical Chinese literature and it is a way to show respect to a mother from a child. In modern days, this expression is used in written form and in writing. For everyday conversation you hear children call their moms, 媽媽 mā ma 妈妈.
How do you call a mom’s mom? It is a game I play with kids. A common way for a child to call her mom’s mom is 婆婆 pó po.
Now, how do you call a father’s mom? Now, they tell me “Grandma, it’s the same.” In Chinese, a common way for a kid to call her father’s mom is 奶奶 nǎi nai.
This is a time I introduce the Chinese character, female 女 nǚ to the children. Whenever you see this, 女 nǚ shows up in a Chinese character it has something to do with “female, woman, girl.” They are now the Chinese detective and they are finding the evidence on the board.
媽媽|妈妈。 婆婆。 奶奶。
“I found it.” “I found two.” Connecting the spoken language with the written words is a lot of fun for the kids. The visual presentation can help them see the Chinese text.
The meaning is interesting to them when they can play the detective to find the pieces that are in one Chinese character. And that can expand to a phrase or a sentence. Even young learners want to be a detective to show they can find clues to a Chinese character.
Happy Mother’s Day! It is a day for you to celebrate everything you are doing for your child and your family every day.
As you are walking on this bilingual parenting journey I see your effort and I understand what it is like. Every Chinese song your child sings, every expression your little one say, and the activities you do with your little ones are all worth celebrating.
It is you who makes it happen. Every little step counts. Happy Mother’s Day! You are awesome!
Storytime Friday with Miss Panda featuring Happy Mother’s Day
Featuring the story Happy Mother’s Day by Amanda Hsiung-Blodgett “Miss Panda”
Digital eBook purchase, download, and read!
Happy Mother’s Day Reader – Traditional Chinese with Pinyin and English support
Happy Mother’s Day Reader –Simplified Chinese with Pinyin and English support
Recommended book in the Storytime: Eyes that Kiss in the Corners
by Joanna Ho | Illustrated by Dung Ho | Ages 4-8
Mother’s Day Songs in Mandarin
Miss Panda’s Playlist
photo image by Jaysin Trevino
