まあ

• 読み: まあ
• ローマ字: maa
• 発音: /ma.a/

意味

Well; I suppose; more or less. A filler expressing hesitation, modesty, or mild surprise.

A versatile adverb with several nuances depending on context and intonation. As a hedge: まあ大丈夫 (well, it's okay I guess). As mild surprise: まあ、すごい (oh, how amazing). As a softener: まあまあ (so-so / not bad). Often used to temper a statement, making it less direct or absolute. One of the most frequently used discourse markers in spoken Japanese.

例文

1. まあ、なんとかなるでしょう。
2. 味はまあまあだったけど量が少なかった。
3. まあ、そういうこともあるよね。

使い方ガイド

場面: conversation, hedging, reactions

トーン: tentative

起源と歴史

A native Japanese interjection of uncertain etymology, used since at least the Edo period. Possibly related to the concept of pausing before speaking, reflecting the Japanese conversational style of indirect expression.

文化的背景

時代: Edo period

世代: All ages

社会的背景: Universal