嘛[mɑ]

助

1. (indicating that sth. is obvious)

♦ 这也不能怪他, 头一回做~。 He's not to blame. After all, it was the first time he'd done it.

♦ 这件事他是知道的~。 He's well aware of it.

♦ 他本来就不愿意去~, 就不要勉强他了。 He just doesn't want to go. Don't force him.

♦ 有意见就提~, 你怎么不提呀？If you have any suggestions to make, by all means make them. What are you keeping quiet for?

2. (expressing a hope or giving advice)

♦ 喂, 汽车开慢点~!Hey, don't drive so fast!

♦ 既然你忙, 就别去~。 Since you are busy, don't go then.

3. (used to form a pause in a sentence, calling listener's attention)

♦ 这个问题~, 很简单。 As for this problem, it's really quite simple.

♦ 不让他去~, 他有意见； 让他去~, 他又不去了。 If you don't let him go, he'll complain; but if you ask him to go, then he'll refuse to.

♦ 好~, 那就快找他去吧。 O K. Go to him at once.