How To Say Happy Mother's Day In 15 Different Languages?

Happy Mother’s Day in 15 different languages

From heartfelt Latin languages to expressive Asian tongues, these greetings show just how universal a mother’s love can be. Here’s how to say Happy Mother’s Day in 15 different languages, each with its own flavor and feeling.

1. Spanish – Feliz Día de la Madre

Pronunciation: feh-LEEZ DEE-ah deh lah MAH-dreh
Where it’s used: Spain, Mexico, Argentina, and most of Latin America

In countries like Mexico and El Salvador, Mother’s Day is often celebrated on May 10th, regardless of the weekday. A thoughtful way to make it more personal is to add a sweet nickname, like mamita or mami, depending on the country.

2. French – Bonne fête des mères

Pronunciation: bun fet day mehr
Where it’s used: France, parts of Belgium, Canada (Quebec), and francophone Africa

French Mother’s Day usually falls on the last Sunday of May (or the first Sunday of June if it clashes with Pentecost). It’s a tradition in many French schools for children to craft handmade gifts or poems. A thoughtful cultural touch: pairing your greeting with a bouquet of peonies or lilies, both popular Mother’s Day flowers in France.

See also:

Saying Happy new year in 15 different languages

Nice to meet you in French

3. German – Alles Gute zum Muttertag

Pronunciation: AH-les GOO-teh tsoom MOO-ter-tahk
Where it’s used: Germany, Austria, Switzerland

In Germany and Austria, Mother’s Day is less about flowers and more about presence. Families often begin the day with breakfast together, and this warm phrase, meaning “all the best for Mother’s Day,” is how they start.

4. Japanese – 母の日おめでとう (Haha no hi omedetō)

Pronunciation: HA-ha no hee oh-meh-deh-TOH
Where it’s used: Japan

In Japan, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May, similar to Western countries. The greeting combines the word for “mother’s day” with “congratulations” (omedetō), making it feel festive and respectful. Children typically give red carnations and prepare a meal to thank their mothers.

5. Italian – Buona Festa della Mamma

Pronunciation: BWO-nah FEHS-tah DEL-lah MAHM-mah
Where it’s used: Italy, parts of southern Switzerland

This cheerful phrase is often said over Sunday lunch, surrounded by pasta, wine, and laughter. Normally, Italians don’t need grand gestures on Mother’s Day. A handwritten note or a single flower, often a rose, is how many Italians say “I love you” to Mamma.

Happy Mother's Day in Italian — Happy Mother’s Day in Italian

6. Portuguese – Feliz Dia das Mães

Pronunciation: feh-LEEZ JEE-ah das MAYS
Where it’s used: Brazil, Portugal, Angola, Mozambique

Among the list of happy Mother’s Day in 15 different languages, Portuguese stands out for its emotional expression. In Brazil, this day is a huge deal, celebrated on the second Sunday of May with family gatherings, Sunday mass, and special lunches.

7. Russian – С Днём Матери (S Dnyom Materi)

Pronunciation: z DNYOM MAH-tye-ree
Where it’s used: Russia, parts of Central Asia

Unlike most countries, Russia celebrates Mother’s Day on the last Sunday of November, not in May. The phrase literally means “Happy Mother’s Day,” but you’ll often hear it with a hug or handwritten letter. In Russian culture, sincerity is everything, so long messages, and poetry are more common than gifts.

8. Chinese – 母亲节快乐 (Mǔqīn jié kuàilè)

Happy Mother's Day in Chinese — Happy Mother’s Day in Chinese

Pronunciation: MOO-chin jyeh KWHY-luh
Where it’s used: China, Taiwan, Singapore

While the holiday isn’t officially recognized in China, its popularity has grown since the 1980s. Today, it’s common for children to gift lilies—traditionally associated with motherhood—or prepare tea for their mothers, especially in southern provinces.

9. Dutch – Fijne Moederdag

Pronunciation: FAY-nuh MOO-der-dakh
Where it’s used: Netherlands, Belgium (Flemish region), Suriname

In the Netherlands, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of May, much like in the U.S. A typical morning starts with children quietly preparing breakfast and handmade gifts while the mother “sleeps in.” Fijne Moederdag is exactly the Dutch approach: low-key, thoughtful, and practical.

10. Korean – 어머니의 날 축하해요 (Eomeoni-ui nal chukahaeyo)

Pronunciation: uh-muh-nee oo-ee nal choo-ka-hae-yo
Where it’s used: South Korea

Unlike many countries, South Korea combines Mother’s and Father’s Day into a single Parents’ Day, celebrated on May 8th. Children usually write heartfelt letters and present carnations, red if the parents are living, white to remember those who’ve passed.

11. Vietnamese – Chúc mừng Ngày của Mẹ

Pronunciation: chook moong ngay koo-ah meh
Where it’s used: Vietnam

The phrase feels unfamiliar to many, as Vietnam traditionally honors women on March 8 and October 20. However, “Chúc mừng Ngày của Mẹ” has started to appear in marketing campaigns, especially on Facebook and TikTok, where it reaches younger audiences. Instead of formal gifts, many Vietnamese children express love through acts of service: cooking, cleaning, or simply spending time with their mothers.

12. Polish – Wszystkiego najlepszego z okazji Dnia Matki

Pronunciation: fshis-TKYEH-go nai-lep-SHEH-go z oh-KAH-zee dnya MAHT-kee
Where it’s used: Poland

Mother’s Day in Poland is celebrated annually on May 26th, no matter what day of the week it falls on. The phrase is long and formal, literally “all the best on the occasion of Mother’s Day”, but widely used in cards, social media posts, and even TV ads. Polish children often recite poems at school, a tradition that has held strong for generations.

13. Swedish – Glad mors dag

Pronunciation: glahd moors dahg
Where it’s used: Sweden

Mother’s Day in Sweden is observed on the last Sunday of May, a date established in the 1930s to align with warmer spring weather. Before that, it was briefly celebrated in February, though the cold season proved impractical. Swedish families may give small, thoughtful gifts, but it’s common to see children picking wildflowers and crafting cards by hand.

Happy Mother's Day in Swedish — Happy Mother’s Day in Swedish

14. Greek – Χρόνια Πολλά για τη Γιορτή της Μητέρας (Hrónia pollá gia ti Yiortí tis Mitéras)

Pronunciation: HRO-nya po-LA ya tee yyor-TEE tees mee-TE-ras
Where it’s used: Greece, Greek-speaking Cyprus

In Greek, the phrase means “Many happy returns for Mother’s Day,” and it’s used just like a birthday greeting. The holiday is typically celebrated on the second Sunday of May, and it’s common for children to bring small gifts or handwritten notes after church. Orthodox tradition blends seamlessly with modern gestures, making it a day of both reverence and warmth.

15. Turkish – Anneler Gününüz Kutlu Olsun

Pronunciation: AHN-neh-ler goo-noo-NOOZ KOOT-loo OHL-soon
Where it’s used: Turkey, Northern Cyprus

In Turkey, the phrase is both formal and heartfelt “May your Mother’s Day be blessed.” Many children recite this sentence during school ceremonies, often followed by a song or poem. Gift-giving is popular, but even a single red carnation carries deep emotional weight in Turkish culture.

Bonus: Quick Pronunciation Chart

Language	Phrase	Pronunciation
Spanish	Feliz Día de la Madre	feh-LEEZ DEE-ah deh lah MAH-dreh
French	Bonne fête des mères	bun fet day mehr
German	Alles Gute zum Muttertag	AH-les GOO-teh tsoom MOO-ter-tahk
Japanese	母の日おめでとう	HA-ha no hee oh-meh-deh-TOH
Italian	Buona Festa della Mamma	BWO-nah FEHS-tah DEL-lah MAHM-mah
Portuguese	Feliz Dia das Mães	feh-LEEZ JEE-ah das MAYS
Russian	С Днём Матери	z DNYOM MAH-tye-ree
Chinese (Mandarin)	母亲节快乐	MOO-chin jyeh KWHY-luh
Dutch	Fijne Moederdag	FAY-nuh MOO-der-dakh
Korean	어머니의 날 축하해요	uh-muh-nee oo-ee nal choo-ka-hae-yo
Vietnamese	Chúc mừng Ngày của Mẹ	chook moong ngay koo-ah meh
Polish	Wszystkiego najlepszego z okazji Dnia Matki	fshis-TKYEH-go nai-lep-SHEH-go z oh-KAH-zee dnya MAHT-kee
Swedish	Glad mors dag	glahd moors dahg
Greek	Χρόνια Πολλά για τη Γιορτή της Μητέρας	HRO-nya po-LA ya tee yyor-TEE tees mee-TE-ras
Turkish	Anneler Gününüz Kutlu Olsun	AHN-neh-ler goo-noo-NOOZ KOOT-loo OHL-soon

Tips to Remember These Greetings

If you’re trying to learn how to say Happy Mother’s Day in 15 different languages, these quick memory tricks can make the phrases stick:

Group by language family: Romance languages like Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese often follow similar patterns. Master one, and the rest come faster.
Associate with a tradition: Link each phrase with a cultural image, like carnations in Korea, breakfast in bed in Sweden, handwritten poems in Poland. It makes the words more memorable.
Say it out loud: Pronounce each phrase slowly and clearly. Focus on rhythm and stress, especially for longer phrases like the Polish or Greek greetings.
Make flashcards or a phone note: Keep the phrases handy a week before Mother’s Day. A quick daily glance helps build recall naturally.
Focus on feeling, not perfection: These greetings are about warmth, not flawless pronunciation. Let meaning guide your words.

No matter which language you choose, saying Happy Mother’s Day in 15 different languages shows effort, respect, and heart. For more real-world phrases that go beyond the textbook, start your language journey with Gurulango.com—where meaning meets everyday use.

How To Say Happy Mother’s Day In 15 Different Languages?