もう
mō[mo̞ː]
The Japanese phrase for 'jeez' is もう (mō).
もう is used to express frustration, impatience or mild annoyance at a situation or person. While it can be used as a standalone interjection, it is often emphasized with a sharp, rising or falling intonation to convey the intensity of the speaker's irritation.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 'mō' literally means 'already' or 'more', but when used as an interjection, it functions like 'jeez' to express exasperation.
How do you pronounce it?
mō
Did you know?
- While もう is often used to show annoyance, it can be a 'cute' signal of hidden affection in 'tsundere' characters within Japanese anime and manga.
- The exclamation もう has remained phonetically consistent for over 400 years, as early Portuguese missionaries recorded the sound as mǒ in the late 1500s.
- In Japanese pop culture, saying もう is frequently accompanied by a specific gesture, such as putting hands on hips or throwing arms up in the air.
Examples in context
- もう、何やってんだよ。Jeez, what're you up to? → Whaddya doing, already?This example shows how to use もう to express annoyance at someone's actions.
- もう～、なにやってんだよ。Jeez, what're you up to?This example shows a similar usage of もう to express exasperation.Tatoeba #74910 by fcbond, translation #328809 by fcbond
- もう、やっと終わった。mou, yatto owatta.Jeez, it's finally over.
Example conversation
Kenta is late for their meeting again.
- 結衣 Yuiもう、また遅刻？mou, mata chikoku?Jeez, late again?
- 健太 Kentaごめん、電車が止まってて。gomen, densha ga tomatte te.Sorry, the train stopped.
- 結衣 Yui本当に困るよ。hontou ni komaru yo.It's really a problem.
- 健太 Kenta次は絶対間に合うから。tsugi wa zettai maniau kara.I'll definitely be on time next time.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry もう, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries もう, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
