Japanese symbol for “stepmother”
継母
ままはは
Romaji: mamahaha
stepmother
In Japanese, stepmother is 継母, read ままはは (mamahaha).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- n stepmother
Written forms: 継母、まま母. Readings: ままはは、けいぼ.
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “stepmother”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 義理の母 | ぎりのはは girinohaha | mother-in-law; foster mother; stepmother |
| お義母さん | おかあさん okaasan | stepmother |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 継続 | けいぞく keizoku | continuation; continuance; maintenance |
| 中継 | ちゅうけい chuukei | relay; hook-up |
| 後継 | こうけい koukei | succession |
| 引き継ぐ | ひきつぐ hikitsugu | to take over (someone's duties, business, etc.); to inherit; to succeed to |
| 継承 | けいしょう keishou | inheritance; succession; accession |
| 中継ぎ | なかつぎ nakatsugi | joining; joint |
| 母親 | ははおや hahaoya | mother |
| お母さん | おかあさん okaasan | mother; mom; mum |
See also: Chinese symbol for “stepmother”.
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.