1. "Mother" (informal): This is the most common meaning of "mama" in Korean. It's used by young children and is considered an informal way to address their mother.
2. "Empress" (historical): Historically, "mama" was used as a respectful title for the empress of Korea. This usage is mostly archaic and not commonly used today.
It's important to note that while "mama" is the most common way children address their mothers, adults typically use the formal term "eomeoni" (어머니).
Here are some examples of how "mama" is used:
* "Mama, I want milk!" (마마, 우유 주세요!) - A child asking their mother for milk.
* "The queen was addressed as 'mama' by the people." (여왕은 백성들에게 '마마'라고 불렸습니다.) - A historical example of "mama" being used for the empress.
So, the meaning of "mama" depends on the context. If you hear a child saying it, they are likely referring to their mother. However, in historical contexts, it could refer to the empress.