Make Her Smile! 21 Beautiful Expressions Latinos Use With Words That Describe Mom In Spanish

What are some words that describe mom in Spanish?

Have you even recently expressed appreciation for your mother?

If she speaks Spanish then you definitely need to show that you love her in her own language because remember…

Motherhood can be challenging and she deserves good words from you!

In fact, no matter where you live, an expression to show some love towards your mom is always valuable.

In this blog post, I’ll teach you 21 beautiful expressions that people use to refer to mothers in Spanish.

Obviously, you may use adjectives to describe her, but the goal here isn’t to give you a list of words.

Rather you’ll end up with a repertory of expressions to refer to your mom as the best in several different ways.

Does that sound good?

Let’s begin with number 1!

1. Es muy especial

The word “especial” in Spanish means the same as in English (special), and this truly is one of those wonderful words that describe mom.

This expression in particular is used to describe mothers that are attentive and like to give presents.

You know, I’m talking about this kind of mother who knows that you’re coming to visit and makes some pie, cookies, or anything just to make you feel special.

Here’s an example of how to use this expression:

• Tu madre es muy especial; siempre nos trae recuerdos cuando regresa de viaje.

Your mother is very special, she always brings us souvenirs when she comes back from traveling.

• Mi mamá es muy especial; siempre lleva dulces en su bolso para compartir con los niños en el parque.

My mom is very special; she always has candies with her so that she can share some with the children at the park.

2. Una buena madre

This means “a good mother”, but what does that mean anyway?

Of course, everyone’s opinion may be different.

For me, a good mother is a woman who puts her children’s emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being before anything else.

Here’s an example using this phrase:

• Hijo, tu mamá es una buena madre; ella trabaja mucho, pero siempre tiene tiempo para estar contigo y tus hermanas.

Son, your mom is a good mother; she works a lot, but she always has time to spend with you and your sisters.

Remember that ‘buena‘ is just an adjective, so you may replace it with other options, like:

• Una buena madre: A good mother.
• Ella es una madre fantástica: She is a fantastic mother.
• Una excelente madre: An excellent mother.

By the way, why don’t you practice your Spanish writing skills and leave me a reply in the comments at the end?

Try to describe what ‘una buena madre‘ is for you.

Don’t worry if you make mistakes, I’ll be happy to read it and reply as soon as I can. 😁

3. La mejor mamá del mundo

Is your mom the best mom ever?

Then I bet what you mean is that she’s the best in the whole world, and that’s exactly what expression #3 means.

By the way, I’ve heard some students saying: “La mejor mamá de siempre”.

But you can’t say that, it won’t make sense in Spanish.

Anyway…

Calling your mom “la mejor mamá del mundo” is probably the most common way to show your mom how much you love her.

Think about this expression as the ‘big brother’ of the previous two, because saying that your mother is the best in the world definitely means a lot!

Let me share a couple of examples:

• Eres la mejor mamá del mundo, siempre estás pendiente de mí:

You’re the best mom in the world, you always keep an eye on me.

• ¿Eso es para mí mamá? No tenías que comprarlo, eres la mejor mamá del mundo, muchas gracias.

Is that for me mom? You didn’t have to buy it, you’re the best mom ever, thank you so much!

In the first example above the expression ‘estás pendiente’ means to keep an eye on with a sense of taking care of someone or something.

4. Cuida a sus hijos con amor

This phrase means something like “she takes care of her children with love” or “she lovingly takes care of her children”.

Personally, this expression makes me think of mothers spoon-feeding their little kids with patience and joy.

Can you remember a genuine moment when your mom showed you her loving care?

Maybe when she changed your first diaper?

Just kidding, nobody remembers that. 😆

Check out an example:

• Mi esposa cuida a nuestros hijos con amor mientras estoy en el trabajo:

My wife takes loving care of our children while I’m at work.

• Esa gatica guida a sus hijos con amor; Es mejor madre que muchas de las mujeres que conozco.

That kitty takes loving care of her children; she’s a better mom than lots of the women I know.

Related: 10 Ways to Say Cat Like A Native Speaker

5. Ama mucho a sus hijos

This expression is very similar to the previous one, and it means “she loves her children very much”.

I’m sure this phrase may come in handy if you’re looking to write a thank you letter with words that describe mom in Spanish.

Or if you want to describe a person whose love for her children highlights above all things.

Here’s one example:

• Mi abuela ama mucho a sus hijos; tiene 89 años y llama todos los días a mi mamá solo para saber cómo está.

My grandma loves her children so much; she’s 89 and calls my mom every day, only to know how she’s doing.

RELATED: 14 Common Ways To Say Grandma In Spanish People Use Every Day

6. Da unas buenas pelas

We’re stepping into the zone where you can use words that describe mom for very distinctive things that she does.

And which better way to start off than discipline?

If you come from a Latino family, I’m sure you know what I’m talking about here.

Basically, discipline for a Latin American mom means three things:

1. Spanking
2. Chancla (Hitting you with a sandal)
3. Un correazo (Hitting you with a belt)

Those are the three basic punishment methods that classic Latinas use to shape you into the responsible person that you’re meant to be as an adult. 😆

Now, no matter what method she uses, we call this “una pela”, or basically “a loving maternal beat-up“.

Check out these examples:

• Niños, no hagan enojar a su mamá, ya saben que da unas buenas pelas.

Kids, don’t make mom angry, you know she … gives good lessons? (really I don’t know how to translate “una pela”).

• Te voy a dar una buena pela si te sigues portando mal

I’m going to give you a lesson if you keep misbehaving.

Related: Are You Hispanic If you Don’t Speak Spanish?

7. Trabaja duro por sus hijos

Hardworking people are always exemplary, and good mothers should be in the first place when we think of people who work hard.

This expression means “she works hard for her children”.

My mom, for example, often jokes saying that being a mother should be a full-time job!

These additional expressions work perfectly too if you want to acknowledge how hard your mom or wife works for you and your kids:

• 8. Apoya a sus hijos incondicionalmente
• 9. Quiere lo mejor para sus hijos

Check out the following examples:

• Doña Nora es madre soltera y trabaja duro por sus hijos.

Miss Nora is a single mother and works hard for her children.

• Ella apoya a sus hijos incondicionalmente como un ancla en las tormentas de la vida:

She supports her children unconditionally like an anchor during the storms of life.

If that’s a bit too poetic for you, we can also point the expression toward the entire family:

• Antes pensaba que mi mamá era muy estricta, pero ahora veo que solamente quiere lo mejor para la Familia.

I used to think that my mom was too strict, but now I see that she only wants the best for the family.

10. Es una berraca / una tesa!

This is an expression I personally use a lot because it involves many different things.

Though the words “Berraca” and “Tesa” don’t have a proper translation in English, both terms are very Colombian expressions when you want to say that somebody is strong mentally or even physically.

For example:

— Hey, ¿esa es su mamá ahí arriba arreglando el techo?
— ¡Sí! Ella es una berraca.

— Hey, is that your mother up there fixing the roof?
— Yes! She is very strong.

We can also use it in the past when recalling a memory:

• Mi abuela era una tesa, vivía y trabajaba en el campo hace muchos años ¡y crió 11 hijos!

My grandma was very strong, she lived and worked in the countryside many years ago and she raised 11 kids!

11. La mujer más hermosa del mundo

You might be familiar with the word “Hermosa” which means “Beautiful”.

Now, most Latinos would say that their moms are the most beautiful woman ever.

Why?

Because even though you’re mom might not exactly be miss universe, you probably consider that she’s beautiful for all the affection and love you share with her.

In other words, she’s the most beautiful woman in your heart! ❤️

People might even use this expression to talk about other people’s moms.

For instance:

— Hey, mi mamá quiere invitarte a comer mañana, ¿vienes?
— ¿En serio? ¿Otra vez? Tu mamá es la mujer más hermosa del mundo.

— Hey my mom wants to invite you over for dinner, are you coming?
— Really? Again? Your mom is the most beautiful woman in the world.

RELATED: She’ll love you after this: 23 ways to say beautiful woman in Spanish

12. Se saca el pan de la boca para dárselo a sus hijos

This is a very touching expression, especially for families that have experienced rough times financially.

A literal translation for this expression would be something like: “She takes the bread out of her mouth to feed her children”

It probably doesn’t make much sense in English, but it’s very common to hear this in Spanish.

The idea behind this expression is that mothers are willing to make any sacrifice for their children in order to keep them safe.

An example will make it easy to understand.

Imagine you’re watching a news report and then the reporter says:

• Hoy conoceremos el caso de una madre que a pesar de los problemas se saca el pan de la boca para dárselo a sus hijos incluso arriesgando su propia salud.

Today we will hear the experience of a mother who despite the problems, she sacrificed her own food just to feed her children even putting her health in danger.

13. Nadie como mamá

From all the people you’ll meet throughout life, a good mom will always be unique and irreplaceable.

And this is exactly what this phrase means:

“No one like mom”.

And mothers are so important in life that we have another two more expressions to show this feeling:

• 14. Madre solo hay una, which means there’s only one mom.
• 15. Mi madrecita es sagrada / La cucha es sagrada, which means mom is “sacred” or “divine”.

I have to clarify that number 15 is purely Colombian.

Now, calling your mom ‘cucha’ might be seen as disrespectful by some mothers and well-received by others.

Like my mom, she’d respond with a “pela” if I called her that. 😆

However, there are other people in Colombia who consider ‘cucha’ a way to show affection to your old and beloved mother.

Here are some examples using these expressions:

• Cuando cocino la comida no me queda tan rica como la de mamá, definitivamente nadie como mamá.

When I cook, the food doesn’t taste as good as mom’s. There’s definitely nobody like mom.

• Mijo, trate bien a su mamá que madre sólo hay una.

Boy, respect your mom because you only have one.

• Lo que sea por la cucha, mi madrecita es sagrada y la llevo en el corazón:

I do whatever it takes for my mom, my mother is holy and I keep her in my heart.

You can try swapping places with ‘cucha’ for ‘madrecita’ in the last example, and it’ll work perfectly.

By the way, ‘madrecita’ is using a diminutive for ‘madre’, and the word ‘Sagrada’ means ‘Holy’ which is very common to hear from Spanish speakers when they want to express how valuable someone or something is to them.

16. La mujer que me dio la vida

From now on you might want to consider referring to your mom this way forever, I can guarantee it will make her smile instantly.

It means, “the woman who gave me life”, and shows that you recognize her authority and experience in life.

Here’s an example:

• Quiero que conozcas a la mujer que me dio la vida, si no le agradas, esta relación no funcionará.

I want you to meet the woman who gave me life, if she doesn’t like you, this relationship won’t work.

This would be a fun way to introduce your mom to your friends, you know, you could say:

Let me introduce you to “la mujer que me dio la vida”.

Try it out! 😁

17. ¡A mamá se le respeta!

This is one of those expressions with words that describe mom for what she deserves and demands!

It means something like: “you have to respect mom!”

Now, notice the exclamation marks in this sentence, it means that this is something to pay attention to.

Just imagine your son is disrespecting his mother and you want to call them out for that out loud.

Well, this is where this expression shines.

See how it fits in the following example:

• Estás castigado por grocero ¡a mamá se le respeta!

You’re grounded for being that mean, you have to respect your mother!

18. Mamá vale oro

We may translate this phrase as “mom is worth gold“, and I think it has two words that describe mom perfectly, “vale oro”.

Why?

Because there’s no money in the world to appraise a mother’s worth, she’s more valuable than gold and shines brighter than the sun.

That is exactly what these additional expressions mean:

• 19. Mamá es un sol
• 20. Mamá es una calidad

Let’s practice with these examples:

• Mamá vale oro, nunca la cambiaría por nada.

My mom is gold, I would never change her for anything.

With the word gold, we are expressing how priceless she is.

Isn’t that beautiful?

You may also use these words that describe mom in a very poetic way, for instance:

• Mi mamá es un sol, ella siempre alegra a las personas donde quiera que esté.

My mom is a sun, she always brightens up others wherever she is.

By using the word sun, we highlight the fact that mom makes everything better.

• Ella todos los días se levanta temprano para hacer todo a tiempo, mi mamá es una calidad, no entiendo cómo lo hace.

She wakes up early every day to do everything on time, my mom is of good quality, and I don’t understand how she does it.

Referring to a mother or a person as ‘es una calidad’ literally means ‘of good quality’.

21. Mamá es mamá

This expression says it all, mom is mom!

Hmm… maybe not so much if translate it word by word. 😅

You will get a better idea from this example:

• Mi esposa dice que paso mucho tiempo con mi madre, pero mamá es mamá y ella nunca podrá reemplazarla.

My wife says that I spend too much time with my mother, but mom will always be mom and she will never replace her.

Please don’t compare your mother with your wife, I just came up with this example to illustrate the meaning of our final expression! 😁

Conclusion

There you have it!

You now have 21 different expressions with words that describe mom perfectly.

And if you have kids, teach them to do so, it’s a win-win situation whenever you use one of these! 😁

As a summary here’s a list of the phrases we’ve covered today:

1. Es muy especial
2. Una buena madre
3. La mejor mamá del mundo
4. Cuida a sus hijos con amor
5. Ama mucho a sus hijos
6. Da unas buenas pelas
7. Trabaja duro por sus hijos
8. Apoya a sus hijos incondicionalmente
9. Quiere lo mejor para sus hijos
10. Es una berraca/ una tesa!
11. La mujer más hermosa del mundo
12. Se saca el pan de la boca para darselo a sus hijos
13. ¡Nadie como mamá!
14. Madre solo hay una
15. Mi madrecita es sagrada / La cucha es sagrada
16. La mujer que me dio la vida
17. ¡A mamá se le respeta!
18. Mamá vale oro
19. Mamá es un sol
20. Mamá es una calidad
21. Mamá es mamá

To put these into real practice, try to change your mom’s contact name on your phone with your favorite expression.

Or maybe hang a sticky note on mom’s fridge with a different expression every now and then so that she’ll see it.

Remember that the context in which you use these expressions matters, pick the one you feel comfortable using and make her smile!

Now, how would you describe your mother in Spanish? Let me know in the comments below.