まあ

also: まぁ · ま

ま

あ

Common wordJLPTN3Freq.FrequencyTop 500

Meanings

just; come on; now, now

Used to gently urge, console, or encourage someone, often softening a request or calming a situation.

Expresses a moderate degree; something is passable or tolerable, but not outstanding. Often used with positive or neutral evaluations.

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.

female term, language, or name

Interjection expressing surprise, admiration, or mild dismay. It is a female term, but in modern casual speech it is used by all genders.

まあまあ、〈動どう詞し〉now, now — used to calm someone down
まあまあ、そんなに怒おこらないで。
Now, now, don't get so angry.
まあ〈形けい容よう詞し〉fairly ~; reasonably ~ (mild, hedged praise)
この店みせの料りょう理りはまあ美味おいしい。
The food at this restaurant is fairly good.
まあ、〈事こと〉かもしれないwell, ... might be the case (tentative opinion)
まあ、彼かれの言いう通とおりかもしれない。
Well, he might be right, I suppose.
まあ、〈物もの〉！oh, ~! (exclaiming in surprise or admiration)
まあ、素す敵てきな指ゆび輪わ！
Oh, what a lovely ring!

まあまあN3sense 2
まあまあ is the reduplicated, more emphatic form of まあ, used alone to mean 'so-so' or to calm someone down more strongly.
そこそこN1sense 2
そこそこ describes a middling degree more objectively (e.g. quantity or quality), while まあ softens an evaluation with a hedging, subjective tone.
あらN1sense 4
あら is an interjection of surprise strongly tied to refined or older women's speech, whereas まあ expresses similar surprise but is now used casually by all genders.
えっとN4
えっと signals that the speaker is searching for words or facts, whereas まあ softens a statement or expresses mild reservation rather than hesitation in recalling.

Show 3 more

おやN3
おや marks a quick, often gender-neutral moment of surprise, whereas まあ is softer and more associated with women's speech, often showing admiration.
いや
まあ softens a statement or shows reluctant acceptance, whereas いや as a filler signals hesitation before speaking.
ああ
まあ expresses mild, often pleasant surprise, while ああ can carry stronger emotion such as lament or awe.

まあまあN3
まあ is a single softer interjection or hedge ('well...'), while まあまあ is its doubled, more emphatic form used both to soothe and to mean 'so-so'.

まあUsage54%
Standard hiragana spelling; the most common written form.
まUsage23%
Shortened form, often used as a clipped interjection or in quick, casual speech.
まぁUsage19%
Variant with small ぁ, common in manga and casual writing for a softer or more hesitant feel.
まーUsage3%
- まー
- まあ
  Elongated kana variant, often used in casual writing to convey a drawn-out, thoughtful, or emphatic tone.
マUsage1%
マァUsage<1%
マアUsage<1%

The exact derivation is uncertain; it is a native Japanese interjection/adverb that likely developed from exclamatory or filler sounds.