General
mai
What does mai mean?
An affectionate clip of 'mamá' used for one's mother; can also address a girl warmly.
"Mai, ¿qué hay de comer?"
Origin
Dominican Spanish; clipped from 'mamá/madre'.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'mai' mean?
It's an affectionate Dominican clip of 'mamá' meaning 'mom'; it can also be a warm way to address a woman or girl.
Where does 'mai' come from?
It's shortened from 'mamá' or 'madre' in casual Dominican speech, dropping the final syllable.
Is 'mai' only for your mother?
Not always — while it usually means 'mom', it's also used affectionately toward a girlfriend or female friend.
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