particle
Uncommon
mah
mah
Mah (particle) means a sentence-final particle (used in some varieties of English influenced by Cantonese) implying something is obvious. Example: “Of course it's closed, it's Sunday mah!”
particle
1
A sentence-final particle (used in some varieties of English influenced by Cantonese) implying something is obvious.
"Of course it's closed, it's Sunday mah!"
2
A sentence-final particle turning a statement into a yes-or-no question.
"You're coming tonight mah?"
name
1
A surname of Chinese origin.
"Mah is a common Cantonese surname."
How to use mah
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA colloquial tag word borrowed into English from Cantonese, used to soften a statement or turn it into a question.
When to use it
Informal and regional — found mainly in Singaporean, Malaysian, and Hong Kong English.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like mah.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Of course it's closed, it's Sunday _____!
Etymology
Adapted from Cantonese 嘛 (maa3), a similar sentence-final particle.
Frequently asked questions
What does “mah” mean?
The word “mah” means a sentence-final particle (used in some varieties of English influenced by Cantonese) implying something is obvious. In plain terms, a colloquial tag word borrowed into English from Cantonese, used to soften a statement or turn it into a question.
How do you pronounce “mah”?
“Mah” is pronounced mah (/mɑː˧/ in IPA).
How do you use “mah” in a sentence?
Here is “mah” used in a sentence: “Of course it's closed, it's Sunday mah!”
What part of speech is “mah”?
Depending on how it is used, “mah” can be a particle and a name.
Where does the word “mah” come from?
The word “mah” comes from Cantonese. Adapted from Cantonese 嘛 (maa3), a similar sentence-final particle.
Is “mah” a common word?
“Mah” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “mah” have?
“Mah” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a sentence-final particle (used in some varieties of English influenced by Cantonese) implying something is obvious.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include mah:
