Hebrew

Pronoun

מָה • ‎(má) m f

1. what

   מה זאת אומרת?‎ ― ma zot oméret? ― What does it mean? [literally What is this saying?]

   מה אתה שואל?‎ ― ma atá sho'el? ― What [are] you asking?

   מה נשמע?‎ ― ma nishmá? ― How are you? [literally What [is] being heard?]

2. which

Usage notes

• In traditional Hebrew grammar can also be vocalized as מַה ‎(má) or מֶה ‎(mé). The vowel is determined by the following word and behaves the same way as the vowel in הַ־ ‎(há).

Interjection

מָה? • ‎(má)

1. An expression of awe or disbelief.
   • Genesis 28:17, with translation of the New International Version:

     וַיִּירָא וַיֹּאמַר מַה־נּוֹרָא הַמָּקוֹם הַזֶּה אֵין זֶה כִּי אִם־בֵּית אֱלֹהִים וְזֶה שַׁעַר הַשָּׁמָיִם׃‎

     He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”

2. Response that confirms that the user is paying attention (usually said unhappily).

Usage notes

• In traditional Hebrew grammar can also be vocalized as מַה ‎(má) or מֶה ‎(mé). The vowel is determined by the following word and behaves the same way as the vowel in הַ־ ‎(há).

Anagrams

• הם