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!”
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.
Informal and regional — found mainly in Singaporean, Malaysian, and Hong Kong English.
Word forms
Mahs plural
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.
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