Mrs in Different Languages
Discover 'Mrs' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
The title of 'Mrs' is a widely recognized term of respect and honor for married women in the English language. Its significance extends beyond mere identification, as it often conveys cultural and social connotations. For instance, in some societies, a woman's assumption of the title 'Mrs' after marriage signifies a new phase in her life, denoting commitment, responsibility, and maturity.
Moreover, the translation of 'Mrs' in different languages can provide fascinating insights into the unique cultural nuances and societal norms of various regions around the world. For example, in Spanish, 'Mrs' is translated as 'Señora,' while in French, it becomes 'Madame.' In German, 'Mrs' is 'Frau,' and in Japanese, it is 'oku-sama' or 'tsu-shimai' depending on the context.
Understanding the translations of 'Mrs' in different languages can be beneficial for various reasons. For instance, it can facilitate cross-cultural communication, foster global understanding, and even enhance one's cultural intelligence. Join us as we explore the various translations of 'Mrs' in different languages and cultures.
Mrs
Mrs in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | mev | ||
| The word 'Mev' was originally borrowed from French 'Madame', but in Afrikaans, it has come to have a more formal meaning akin to the English 'Mrs'. | |||
| Amharic | ወይዘሮ | ||
| The term | |||
| Hausa | misis | ||
| In Hausa, "Misis" can also refer to the wife of a high-ranking person. | |||
| Igbo | oriakụ | ||
| The Igbo word "Oriakụ" can also refer to a woman who is not married. | |||
| Malagasy | rtoa | ||
| Rtoa comes from the French "Ritô", which may derive from the Arabic "sîdi" (lord). | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | mai | ||
| The word 'Mai' in Nyanja can also refer to an elderly woman or a paternal aunt. | |||
| Shona | mai | ||
| The word 'Mai' can also mean 'mother' or be used as a term of respect for an older woman in Shona. | |||
| Somali | marwo | ||
| The word 'Marwo' also means 'lady' or 'mistress' and is often used when addressing older women or women of respected status. | |||
| Sesotho | mof | ||
| The word "Mof" in Sesotho can also mean "my lady" or "madam". | |||
| Swahili | bi | ||
| The word 'Bi' can also refer to an older female family member or a woman who is respected in the community. | |||
| Xhosa | nks | ||
| The word "Nks" also means "wife" or "madam" in Xhosa. | |||
| Yoruba | fúnmi | ||
| "Fúnmi" is an abbreviated form of "Omo Fúnmílayo" meaning "Child of Give-me-joy" in Yoruba. | |||
| Zulu | unkk | ||
| UNkk can also mean 'madam' or a woman of higher social status. | |||
| Bambara | madamu | ||
| Ewe | aƒenɔ | ||
| Kinyarwanda | madamu | ||
| Lingala | madame | ||
| Luganda | mukyaala | ||
| Sepedi | mdi | ||
| Twi (Akan) | owurayere | ||
Mrs in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | السيدة | ||
| The word "السيدة" (sayyida) in Arabic can also refer to a princess, a wealthy woman, or a woman of high social status. | |||
| Hebrew | גברת | ||
| In Hebrew, "גברת" can refer to a bride or female master, originating from the word "גבירה" meaning "mistress". | |||
| Pashto | میرمن | ||
| In Pashto, "میرمن" is derived from the Persian words "میر" (chief) and "منش" (nature), denoting a woman of high standing or a chief's wife. | |||
| Arabic | السيدة | ||
| The word "السيدة" (sayyida) in Arabic can also refer to a princess, a wealthy woman, or a woman of high social status. | |||
Mrs in Western European Languages
| Albanian | znj | ||
| The word "Znj" in Albanian is a polite form of address and equivalent to "Mrs" in English, and it derives from the word "zonjë" meaning "lady" or "mistress". | |||
| Basque | anderea | ||
| The Basque word "andere" is cognate with the Old Irish word "aindir" meaning "manwife". | |||
| Catalan | mrs | ||
| In Catalan, "mrs" ("Mrs") has no alternate meanings or etymological significance beyond its standard usage as an abbreviation for "mistress". | |||
| Croatian | gđa | ||
| The word 'Gđa' in Croatian is an abbreviation of 'Gospođa', meaning 'Mrs' or 'Miss' depending on the context. | |||
| Danish | fru | ||
| The word “fru” has an alternate meaning of “woman of high rank,” which is derived from an Old Norse word meaning “lady.” | |||
| Dutch | mvr | ||
| In Dutch, "Mvr" abbreviates "Mevrouw," "Madam," or "Miss," depending on the woman's marital status and age. | |||
| English | mrs | ||
| The abbreviation "Mrs" can mean "mistress" as well as "missus" in a formal or informal setting. | |||
| French | mme | ||
| Mme is the abbreviation of Madame, the formal way to address a married woman in French. | |||
| Frisian | frou | ||
| The word "frou" in Frisian can also refer to a woman who is not married or a woman who is a widow. | |||
| Galician | señora | ||
| In Galician, "Señora" can also mean "mother" or a respected elderly woman. | |||
| German | frau | ||
| The German word 'Frau' originates from the Old High German 'frouwa,' meaning 'mistress' or 'lady of the house.' | |||
| Icelandic | frú | ||
| The word "Frú" can mean "lady" or "a female of distinction", and it is used as a respectful form of address for married women. | |||
| Irish | bean uí | ||
| "Bean Uí" literally translates to "daughter of a grandson" | |||
| Italian | sig.ra | ||
| Short for "Signora", meaning "Lady", "Mrs", or "Madam" in Italian | |||
| Luxembourgish | mme | ||
| In Luxembourgish, "Mme" is also used as a formal way to address a woman, regardless of her marital status. | |||
| Maltese | sinjura | ||
| The etymology of 'Sinjura' traces back to 'Signora' in Italian or 'Señora' in Spanish, reflecting the historical influence of these languages on Maltese. | |||
| Norwegian | fru | ||
| The word "Fru" in Norwegian can be a respectful way to address a woman, but it also has a historical connection to the Norse goddess "Frigg." | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | sra | ||
| Sra ("Mrs.") originates from the Portuguese word "Senhora" ("Lady"), and it can also refer to a nun. | |||
| Scots Gaelic | bh-ph | ||
| The Scottish Gaelic term "Bh-ph" (pronounced "voo") can trace its origins to the 16th century French word "Madame," which was also adopted into English as "Madam" and later to "Mrs." | |||
| Spanish | señora | ||
| In Spanish, 'señora' (Mrs.) can also refer to a married or upper-class woman or, when used before a name, to a female teacher or doctor. | |||
| Swedish | fru | ||
| The title 'Fru', Swedish for 'Mrs', is short for 'frue' and means 'lady'. | |||
| Welsh | mrs | ||
| In ancient times, "Mrs." denoted "mistress," a respectful term for married or single women. | |||
Mrs in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | місіс | ||
| The word "місіс" is derived from the Old English word "missus", meaning "madam" or "mistress". | |||
| Bosnian | gđa | ||
| The word "Gđa" is originally a title for high-born Muslim women in Bosnia, but can also be used more broadly to refer to any woman, especially as a term of respect. | |||
| Bulgarian | г-жа | ||
| The word "Г-жа" can also be used as a polite form of address for women who are not married, similar to the English "Ms." | |||
| Czech | paní | ||
| In some Czech dialects, "paní" also refers to an unmarried woman or young girl. | |||
| Estonian | proua | ||
| The word 'proua' in Estonian also means 'wife' and dates back to the 13th century. | |||
| Finnish | rouva | ||
| Rouva is derived from the Old Norse word "húsfreyja," meaning "mistress of the house". | |||
| Hungarian | asszony | ||
| The word "Asszony" derives from the Proto-Uralic word "*akka", meaning "older woman" or "grandmother". | |||
| Latvian | kundze | ||
| "Kundze" (Mrs) is derived from the Latvian word "kungs," meaning "lord," and is used as a formal address for married women. | |||
| Lithuanian | ponia | ||
| The word "Ponia" can also be used as a term of respectful address for a woman who is not married, similar to "Miss" in English. | |||
| Macedonian | госпоѓица | ||
| The Slavic term "Госпоѓица" (Mrs) is an honorific title for both married and unmarried women and originated from the Old Church Slavonic word "госпожа" (lady) | |||
| Polish | pani | ||
| In Polish, "Pani" can also refer to a young unmarried woman or a female teacher. | |||
| Romanian | doamna | ||
| The etymology of the Romanian word "doamna" is debated, with theories connecting it to Latin, Slavic, and Turkish roots, but ultimately its origin and meaning remain uncertain in modern scholarship. | |||
| Russian | г-жа | ||
| Г-жа is a shortened version of "госпожа" which literally translates to "mistress" but is used as "madam" in modern-day Russian. | |||
| Serbian | госпођа | ||
| "Госпођа" can be used to address a married woman, a woman in a position of authority, or a woman who is being addressed with respect. | |||
| Slovak | pani | ||
| In certain Slovak dialects, "pani" can refer to an unmarried woman who lives independently. | |||
| Slovenian | ga | ||
| The Slovene honorific for married women, "ga," also has a second usage, referring to a type of female mythological being originating in Slavic folklore. | |||
| Ukrainian | місіс | ||
| The word "місіс" is borrowed from the English word "mistress". | |||
Mrs in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | জনাবা | ||
| জনাবা (Mrs.) comes from the Sanskrit word 'janmani' which means 'born'. | |||
| Gujarati | શ્રીમતી | ||
| The Gujarati word "શ્રીમતી" is also used as a respectful form of address for women, similar to the English "Ms." | |||
| Hindi | श्रीमती | ||
| The word "श्रीमती" is derived from the Sanskrit word "श्री", meaning "wealth" or "prosperity" | |||
| Kannada | ಶ್ರೀಮತಿ | ||
| The word "ಶ್ರೀಮತಿ" (Mrs) in Kannada is derived from the Sanskrit word "श्रीमती" (śrīmatī), which means "fortunate" or "wealthy." | |||
| Malayalam | ശ്രീമതി | ||
| The term 'Sreemathi' is also used to address female devotees who have dedicated their lives to religious service. | |||
| Marathi | सौ | ||
| The Marathi word 'सौ' ('Mrs.') is derived from the Sanskrit word 'सह' (to bear), implying the wife as one who shares her husband's burden. | |||
| Nepali | श्रीमती | ||
| The word "श्रीमती" can also mean "a goddess" or "a woman of good character." | |||
| Punjabi | ਸ਼੍ਰੀਮਤੀ | ||
| "Shrimati" is a word in the Punjabi language derived from the Sanskrit word "shrimati" and is commonly used as an honorific title or prefix before the name of a married woman, similar to the English word "Mrs". | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | මහත්මිය | ||
| The Sinhala term 'මහත්මිය' (mahatmiya), meaning 'Mrs.' or 'madam,' has its roots in Sanskrit, where 'mahat' signifies 'great' and 'mi' denotes 'mine,' thus conveying a sense of respect and endearment. | |||
| Tamil | திருமதி | ||
| In Tamil, "திருமதி" is an honorific prefixed to a married woman's name, and is also a term of address used to show respect to married women generally | |||
| Telugu | శ్రీమతి | ||
| శ్రీమతి is derived from the Sanskrit word 'srimati' meaning 'glorious' or 'wealthy' and can also refer to the goddess Lakshmi. | |||
| Urdu | مسز | ||
| The word "مسز" "Mrs" comes from the Middle English term "mystress" meaning "mistress" or "female head of household." | |||
Mrs in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 太太 | ||
| "太太" can refer to a woman of high social status, a wealthy woman, or a woman who is married. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 太太 | ||
| 太太 can also refer to a married woman in a general sense or to a wealthy or respected woman. | |||
| Japanese | 夫人 | ||
| The word "夫人" can also mean "lady" or "mistress" in Japanese. | |||
| Korean | 부인 | ||
| 부인 originally meant 'lady with a husband', but now it is used as a polite form of address for married and unmarried women alike. | |||
| Mongolian | хадагтай | ||
| The term "Хадагтай" means not only a "Mrs" but also an "owner of a scarf" or an "owner of a silk". | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | ဒေါ် | ||
Mrs in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | nyonya | ||
| "Nyonya" (Mrs) in Indonesian can also refer to a married Chinese-Indonesian woman. | |||
| Javanese | ibu | ||
| The Javanese word "Ibu" can also mean "mother" or "female elder". | |||
| Khmer | អ្នកស្រី | ||
| អ្នកស្រី was once a respectful way of addressing unmarried women but due to changes in society it now normally means "wife". | |||
| Lao | ນາງ | ||
| The Lao word "ນາງ" was originally used to address unmarried women, later married women, and is now used to address any female respectfully. | |||
| Malay | puan | ||
| The term 'Puan' may also be used to refer to a young lady, especially an unmarried woman of noble birth. | |||
| Thai | นาง | ||
| The word 'นาง' ('Mrs') in Thai can also refer to a female deity or spirit, or a woman who is married to a high-ranking official. | |||
| Vietnamese | bà | ||
| Bà means “grandmother” in northern Vietnamese and “Mrs.” in southern Vietnamese. | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | gng | ||
Mrs in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | xanım | ||
| Despite the similar spelling and pronunciation, 'khanim' in Azerbaijani and 'hanım' in Turkish do not share an origin. | |||
| Kazakh | ханым | ||
| Derived from the Turkic root 'khanum', meaning 'lady' or 'princess', the term 'Ханым' is also used as a respectful form of address for older women in Kazakh culture. | |||
| Kyrgyz | айым | ||
| The word "Айым" also means "moon" in Kyrgyz, referencing the traditional association between women and the moon. | |||
| Tajik | хонум | ||
| The word "Хонум" is derived from the Persian word "خانم" and can also mean "lady" or "mistress". | |||
| Turkmen | hanym | ||
| Uzbek | honim | ||
| Honim means “Mrs.” in Uzbek, and is also used as a term of endearment for a female elder. | |||
| Uyghur | خانىم | ||
Mrs in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | ʻo mrs. | ||
| 'O Mrs.' derives from 'Mrs.' and is used to refer to married women or women of high status | |||
| Maori | mrs. | ||
| In Māori, 'Mrs' is an abbreviation for 'Missus', which is derived from the English 'mistress', meaning female head of a household or group. | |||
| Samoan | mrs. | ||
| It also refers to a young unmarried lady in Samoan, or an elder unmarried female. | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | gng | ||
| Gng derives from the Spanish honorific "Doña" and can also denote endearment or familiarity. | |||
Mrs in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | mma | ||
| Guarani | kuñakarai | ||
Mrs in International Languages
| Esperanto | sinjorino | ||
| The word "Sinjorino" also means "young lady" or "mistress". | |||
| Latin | quia | ||
| The word "Quia" in Latin means "because" or "since". | |||
Mrs in Others Languages
| Greek | κυρία | ||
| The Greek word "κυρία" can also mean "lady", "mistress" or "owner". | |||
| Hmong | yawg | ||
| The word "Yawg" comes from the Chinese word "太太", which means "wife" or "madam." | |||
| Kurdish | mrs. | ||
| In the Kurdish language, "Mrs." (Mrs) is also used as a polite form of address for older women, similar to "Ma'am" in English. | |||
| Turkish | bayan | ||
| In Mongolian, 'Bayan' means 'rich' or 'prosperous', and in Kazakh, it means 'noble' or 'distinguished'. | |||
| Xhosa | nks | ||
| The word "Nks" also means "wife" or "madam" in Xhosa. | |||
| Yiddish | מרת | ||
| In Yiddish, 'מרת' is also a title of respect for married women, similar to 'Mrs.' in English. | |||
| Zulu | unkk | ||
| UNkk can also mean 'madam' or a woman of higher social status. | |||
| Assamese | শ্ৰীমতী | ||
| Aymara | mma | ||
| Bhojpuri | सिरीमती | ||
| Dhivehi | މިސިޒް | ||
| Dogri | श्रीमती | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | gng | ||
| Guarani | kuñakarai | ||
| Ilocano | donya | ||
| Krio | wɛf | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | خاتوو | ||
| Maithili | श्रीमती | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯁ꯭ꯔꯤꯃꯇꯤ | ||
| Mizo | pi | ||
| Oromo | aadde | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ଶ୍ରୀମତୀ | ||
| Quechua | mama | ||
| Sanskrit | महोदया | ||
| Tatar | ханым | ||
| Tigrinya | ወይዘሪት | ||
| Tsonga | manana | ||