---
title: "Mother in Tagalog: Nanay | TagaTuro"
description: "Learn how to say mother in Tagalog. nanay (formal: ina). Pronunciation, usage notes, and example sentences."
language: en
source: "TagaTuro"
url: https://www.tagaturo.com/tagalog/mother/
---

# How to Say "Mother" in Tagalog

Learn how to say mother in Tagalog with pronunciation, usage notes, and example sentences.

## Quick answer
Mother in Tagalog is "nanay" (formal: "ina").

Formal variant: ina

## Pronunciation
Say it as "nah-nai".

## Usage and cultural notes
Nanay is the warm, everyday word children use at home. Ina is formal and used in literature, ceremonies, or respectful speech.

Use nanay in daily conversation. Ina appears in formal phrases like 'Ina ng Diyos'.

## Example sentences
- Mahal ko ang nanay ko. - I love my mother. (family affection)
- Nasa kusina si Nanay. - Mom is in the kitchen. (daily conversation)

## Related words
- [Father](/tagalog/father/) - Tatay
- [Older Sister](/tagalog/older-sister/) - Ate
- [Older Brother](/tagalog/older-brother/) - Kuya
- [Grandmother](/tagalog/grandmother/) - Lola
- [Grandfather](/tagalog/grandfather/) - Lolo
- [Family](/tagalog/family/) - Pamilya
- [Child](/tagalog/child/) - Anak

## Related category
- [Family and Relationships](/categories/family/)

## Keep learning
- [Tagalog words](/tagalog/)
- [Tagalog for English Speakers: Learn with Cultural Context](/guides/tagalog-for-english-speakers/) - A focused guide for English speakers learning Tagalog. Learn respectful phrases, family vocabulary, and pronunciation that sounds natural.