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nah

interjection
USNAH/nɑ/

2 meanings of nah

Practice

  1. 1
    nointerjectioncolloquial
    An informal way of saying no, common in casual conversation.

    Nah, I don't think that's a good idea.

    She offered me a ride, but I said nah and walked instead.

    Similarnaw

    Oppositeyeah, yep, yes

  2. 2
    handing overinterjectionManglishSinglish
    Used when handing something to someone, equivalent to saying "here, take it."

    Nah, hold this for me while I tie my shoe.

    Auntie pressed a warm bag of curry puffs into my hands and said, "Nah, bring home for your mother."

    Similarhere (entry)

    Note

    Malaysian and Singaporean English use it to hand something over, and it comes from Malay nah. It is a separate word from the casual "no", even though the two share a spelling. The moment tells them apart. Said while holding something out, it offers the thing. Said in reply to an offer, it declines. It usually opens the sentence, followed by a command such as take this.

    Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts

    • The handover interjection comes from Malay nah. en.wiktionary.org
    • The handover interjection and the identically spelled casual negative have separate origins. en.wiktionary.org

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of nah apart? Answer 2 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meaning 1

A colloquial, unarticulated form of "no," comparable to "yeah."

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact

  • Negative nah is a colloquial, unarticulated form of no, comparable to yeah. en.wiktionary.org
Meaning 2

Borrowed from Malay "nah."

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact

  • English nah, in its separate Manglish/Singlish sense ‘here!’ when giving something, was borrowed from Malay nah. en.wiktionary.org