Haha or Okaasan

Haha is used when talking about your mother to a SOTO group (acquaintance, stranger, people you don't know very well, etc.). Soto means outside. 

Okaasan is used when  

1. Talk about someone else's mother. ex. "Tanaka san no okaasan" Mr Tanaka's mother
2. Address your mother. It is similar to "Mum".
3. Talk about your mother casually to the UCHI group (family, close friends, colleagues, etc.). Uchi means inside.

Which do you use haha or okaasan when you talk about your mother?

• To your close friend → okaasan
• To your colleague → haha / okaasan
• To your teacher → haha / okaasan
• To a stranger at a party → haha
• To the crowd at the meeting → haha
• To your friend's mother, you don't know very well → haha
• To your sibling → okaasan

Did you answer correctly? 

The distinction between 'haha' and 'Okaasan' depends on your relationship with the person you're talking to.