ܡܗܐ

Assyrian Neo-Aramaic

Alternative forms

• ܡܵܗܝܼ (māhī)

Etymology

Univerbation of ܡܵܐ (mā) +‎ ܗܵܐ (hā).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [maːhaː]

Interjection

ܡܵܗܵܐ • (māhā)

1. (interrogative) what?
2. Used to express doubt or confusion

   ܡܵܗܵܐ؟ ܠܐܲܝܟܵܐ ܐܙܝܼܠ ܠܗܘܿܢ؟ ― māhā? l-aykā zīl lhōn? ― Huh? Where did they go?

3. Used to indicate that one did not hear what was said (usually said unhappily) see usage notes

   ܡܵܗܵܐ? ܡܵܐ ܐ݇ܡܝܼܪ ܠܘܼܟ݂? ― māhā? mā mīr lūḵ? ― Huh? What did you say?

4. (interrogative, rhetorical, impolite) why?, how?, how could you?, what are you doing?

   ܡܵܗܵܐ ܝܘܸܬ ܡܡܲܠܠܘܿܠܹܐ ܥܲܡܝܼ ܗܵܕܲܟ݂؟ ― māhā ìwet mmallōlē ˁamī hādaḵ? ― How could you be speaking to me like this?; What are you doing speaking to me like this?

Usage notes

(Used to indicate that one did not hear what was said (usually said unhappily)): This usage is usually disrespectful if said towards adults or someone of older age or status. The polite term is ܕܲܐܟ݂ܝܼ (daˀḵī).

Interjection

ܡܵܗܵܐ • (māhā)

1. An expression of shock, wonder, or amazement.
2. Response that confirms that the speaker is paying attention (usually said unhappily).

Synonyms

• ܡܵܐ (mā)
• ܡܘܿܕܝܼ (mōdī)
• ܡܵܝ (māy)
• ܡܘܿܢ (mōn)