also: まぁ · ま
adverb
Used to gently urge, console, or encourage someone, often softening a request or calming a situation.
まあ、そんなに怒らないで。
Come on, don't be so angry.
まあ、座ってお茶でもどうぞ。
Now, now, have a seat and some tea.
adverb
Expresses a moderate degree; something is passable or tolerable, but not outstanding. Often used with positive or neutral evaluations.
この映画はまあ面白かった。
This movie was fairly interesting.
テストの結果はまあまあだった。
The test results were so-so.
adverb
well...; I think...; you might say...
Hesitation filler used when expressing an opinion tentatively or thinking aloud. Softens the statement and makes it less direct.
まあ、そうかもしれないね。
Well, that might be the case.
まあ、なんというか、難しい問題だ。
Well, how should I put it... it's a difficult problem.
Elongated kana variant, often used in casual writing to convey a drawn-out, thoughtful, or emphatic tone.
Reduplicated form used as a standalone adverb meaning 'so-so' or 'passable', or as an interjection to calm someone down. More emphatic than まあ alone.
Interjection expressing surprise, similar to sense 4 of まあ, but more strongly associated with female speech and often used in refined or older female language.
The exact derivation is uncertain; it is a native Japanese interjection/adverb that likely developed from exclamatory or filler sounds.