Thread: Мда?

Мда, i don't quite understand the meaning behind this word. maybe someone knows what it is in english?

Мда is a kind of Да (yes) but said in a very sceptical (crytical or impressed) and long tone. It begins with Hmm and ends with da (often daaa).

Originally Posted by Leof

Мда is a kind of Да (yes) but said in a very sceptical (crytical or impressed) and long tone. It begins with Hmm and ends with da (often daaa).

As for me one says "мда" when he/she wants to show his/her blaming surprise (is the phrase "his/her blaming surprise" ok?)

But anyway it depends on intonation and context.

It's very ambiguous. Мда can be used in many situations and mean totally different attitudes of the speaker. From disgust to surprise. In most cases it reflects the scepticism.
And even the intonation matters much more than the word itself.

М-да is a variant of да (as a particle) to express bewilderment, surprise, scepsis, and all kinds of ambiguous emotions. It's not that easy to describe the scope of its usage. The first element (м-) is the most expressive part, because you don't usually pronounce it but pull it out of your closed mouth. Actually you begin to sound [д] drawling it long before your mouth is open for [a]. Thus a semi-sound appears in front of the word.

Remember its written form: м-да. It's hyphenated. Many native speakers must keep that in mind also...