Vocabulary

What does まあ (maa) mean?

まあ means well, come now; fairly.

Quick facts
Reading	まあ
Romaji	maa
Part of speech	adverb
Level (estimated, JLPT framework)	N3

まあまあ

N3 · estimated, JLPT frameworkCommonmaa

well, come now; fairly

1adverb just (e.g. "just wait here"); come now; now, now
2adverb tolerably; passably; moderately
3adverb well ...; I think ...; it would seem ...
4interjection oh!; oh dear!; oh, my!

Example sentences

味(あじ)はまあまあでした。
The taste was so-so.
まあ、座(すわ)ってください。
Come on, please have a seat.

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