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まあ

well, now; oh my; (doubled) so-so

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Examples

  1. まあ、そんなに怒らないで。

    まあ、そんなにおこらないで。

    Come now, don't be so angry.

  2. 味はまあまあでした。

    あじはまあまあでした。

    The taste was so-so.

  3. まあ、少しは私の気持ちも考えてくださいよ。

    まあ、すこしはわたしのきもちもかんがえてくださいよ。

    Look, do spare a thought for how I feel.

Common patterns

まあまあ
so-so; there, there
まあ、いいか
oh well, never mind
まあ、落ち着いて
now, calm down

Memory tip

A softener that takes the edge off what follows: "well…, now…". Doubled it means "so-so" or "there, there"; said with a rising tone, mainly by women, it is surprise — "oh my!".

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