World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English Dictionarieslangue maternelle
Pronunciation / Transliteration: /lɑ̃ɡ matɛʁ.nɛl/
"Le français est sa langue maternelle."
Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
The first language that a person learns to speak in childhood, typically spoken in their home or community.
"Her mother tongue is Spanish, but she is also fluent in English." - 2
The native language of a particular country or people rather than a language acquired later in life.
"The government promotes the preservation of the regional mother tongue among younger generations."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from Old English 'mōdor' (mother) and 'tunge' (tongue, language), reflecting the archaic anatomical metaphor associating speech directly with the physical organ. The term has been used since the Middle English period to designate the first language a person learns from birth.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Mother tongue"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Mother tongue" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
langue maternelle
Transliteration: /lɑ̃ɡ matɛʁ.nɛl/
"Le français est sa langue maternelle."
Muttersprache
Transliteration: /ˈmʊtɐˌʃpʁaːxə/
"Deutsch ist seine Muttersprache."
madrelingua
Transliteration: /ˌma.dreˈlin.ɡwa/
"L'italiano è la sua madrelingua."
lengua materna
Transliteration: /ˈleŋ.ɡwa maˈteɾ.na/
"Su lengua materna es el español."
língua materna
Transliteration: /ˈlĩ.ɡwɐ maˈtɛʁ.nɐ/
"O português é a sua língua materna."
मातृभाषा
Transliteration: matribhasha
"हिन्दी उसकी मातृभाषा है।"
母语
Transliteration: mǔyǔ
"汉语是我的母语。"
모국어
Transliteration: mogugeo
"한국어는 나의 모국어이다."
母語
Transliteration: bogo
"日本語は私の母語です。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all French termsExplore Nuanced Synonyms for "Mother tongue"
Discover exact matches, context-specific alternatives, and antonyms with intensity ratings in the VocabDictionary Thesaurus.
Enhance Your Writing & Grammar Precision
Linguistic Origins & Word Stories
View all stories →How Are Palisade Cells Adapted for Photosynthesis (and Why Are They Called 'Palisade')?
Palisade mesophyll cells are column-shaped, densely packed with chloroplasts, and positioned near the leaf's upper surface to maximize light absorption for photosynthesis. Their name comes from the French word for a defensive fence of wooden stakes, referencing their tightly aligned, upright cellular structure.
What is a SLOT SWOT Analysis and How Do You Actually Do One?
A SLOT SWOT analysis is an expanded strategic planning framework that blends personal or organizational 'SLOT' (Strengths, Limitations, Opportunities, Threats) metrics with traditional 'SWOT' dynamics. It provides a granular approach to evaluating internal capabilities against external market realities.