Translation guide
The English word "mum" can refer to a mother, a request for silence, or the act of keeping quiet. This guide covers natural Japanese equivalents for each meaning.
To refer to one's mother in an informal, affectionate way, equivalent to British 'mum' or American 'mom'.
The standard, warm way to say 'mum' or 'mom' in Japanese. Used when addressing or referring to one's own mother.
お母さん、今日の夕飯は何？
Mum, what's for dinner tonight?
Humble form used when talking about your own mother to others. Not used to address her directly.
母は料理が上手です。
My mum is good at cooking.
Casual, affectionate term similar to 'mummy' or 'mama'. Often used by children or in close family settings.
ママ、あのぬいぐるみ買って！
Mum, buy me that stuffed toy!
Formal, objective term for 'mother'. Used in official contexts or when speaking generally about mothers.
彼は母親の影響を強く受けた。
He was strongly influenced by his mum.
To tell someone to be quiet or to describe the state of being silent, as in 'keep mum'.
Direct command meaning 'be quiet' or 'shut up'. Can be softened with ください.
Can sound harsh without ください. Use 静かに for a softer request.
黙って！
Keep mum!
Polite request to be quiet, literally 'do quietly'. Suitable for most situations.
静かにしてください。
Please keep mum.
Literally 'to shut one's mouth', used for keeping silent about a secret or refusing to speak.
Formal term for 'remaining silent', especially in legal or official contexts.
容疑者は黙秘権を行使した。
The suspect exercised the right to remain mum.
To refrain from revealing information, as in 'mum's the word'.
Common phrase meaning 'to keep secret'. Used among friends and family.
このことは内緒にしておいてね。
Keep mum about this, okay?
More direct 'to keep secret'. Slightly more formal than 内緒.
彼はその計画を秘密にした。
He kept mum about the plan.
Describes a person who is tight-lipped, literally 'mouth is hard'. Used to praise someone who keeps secrets.
彼女は口が堅いから安心して話せる。
She keeps mum, so I can talk freely.
Archaic or formal phrase meaning 'do not tell others', often seen in historical contexts.
お母さん is used when addressing your own mother or talking about her within the family. 母 is the humble form used when speaking about your mother to people outside your family. Using お母さん to refer to someone else's mother is polite, but to your own in formal settings is incorrect.
（自分の母について）母がそう言いました。
My mum said so.
（他人の母について）お母さんはお元気ですか。
How is your mum?
The English 'mum' meaning silence does not directly translate to a single Japanese word. Use context-appropriate phrases like 黙って or 静かに for commands, and 内緒 for secrets.
彼女はサプライズパーティーのことを黙っていた。
She kept mum about the surprise party.
He kept mum about the matter.
この話は他言無用で頼む。
Keep mum about this story, I beg you.