ܡܗܐ
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic
[edit]Alternative forms
[edit]- ܡܵܗܝܼ (māhī)
Etymology
[edit]Univerbation of ܡܵܐ (mā) + ܗܵܐ (hā).
Pronunciation
[edit]Interjection
[edit]ܡܵܗܵܐ • (māhā)
- (interrogative) what?
- Used to express doubt or confusion
- ܡܵܗܵܐ؟ ܠܐܲܝܟܵܐ ܐܙܝܼܠ ܠܗܘܿܢ؟ ― māhā? l-aykā zīl lhōn? ― Huh? Where did they go?
- 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?
- (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
[edit](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
[edit]ܡܵܗܵܐ • (māhā)
- An expression of shock, wonder, or amazement.
- Response that confirms that the speaker is paying attention (usually said unhappily).