мдэ
mdɛ[mdɛ]
The English phrase 'oh well' can be translated into Russian using several forms, primarily мдэ (mdɛ). Wiktionary also lists ну да ладно (nu da ladno) and ну и фиг с ним (nu i fig s nim).
Meaning: ''expression of mild disappointment or resignation'' (intj)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| мдэ | mdɛ | [mdɛ] (narrow) |
| ну да ладно | nu da ladno | |
| ну и фиг с ним | nu i fig s nim |
These expressions are used to convey mild disappointment or resignation.
Which one should you use?
While ну да ладно expresses resignation to a situation, the slang мдэ is used more to express a sense of 'wow, okay…' or unimpressed disappointment. The phrase ну и фиг с ним is a more dismissive and colloquial way to say 'oh well' or 'whatever, forget it'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase Ну и ладно is an informal way to say 'oh well' in Russian. The expression Ну да ладно is an informal variation of Ну и ладно that adds a hint of agreement to the resignation. The term мдэ is categorized as slang, while ну и фиг с ним is colloquial.
How do you pronounce it?
mdɛ
Did you know?
- The colloquial expression ну и фиг с ним uses the word фиг, which is a euphemism for a vulgar term referring to the male anatomy.
- While мдэ is written as a single word in slang, it is actually a contraction of м-да, which mimics the sound of someone humming in thoughtful or skeptical hesitation.
- The word ладно is often used by Russians to signal the end of a conversation or a negotiation.
Examples in context
- Ну и ладно, найдешь их потом.Oh well, you'll find them later.
- Что поделаешь, это не в нашей власти.Oh well, it's beyond our control.
- Мдэ, билеты подорожали.Mde, bilety podorosheli.Oh well, the tickets got more expensive.
- Мдэ, я не успел на автобус.Mde, ya ne uspel na avtobus.Oh well, I missed the bus.
- Мдэ, погода совсем испортилась.Mde, pogoda sovsem isportilas'.Oh well, the weather has completely turned bad.
Example conversation
Two friends realize the cafe they wanted to visit is closed.
- Дмитрий DmitryКатя, смотри, эта кофейня закрыта.Katya, smotri, eta kofeynya zakryta.Katya, look, this coffee shop is closed.
- Екатерина EkaterinaМдэ, а я так хотела этот десерт.Mde, a ya tak khotela etot desert.Oh well, and I really wanted that dessert.
- Дмитрий DmitryПойдём в соседнее кафе через дорогу?Поydyom v sosednee kafe cherez dorogu?Shall we go to the cafe next door across the street?
- Екатерина EkaterinaДа, пошли туда.Da, poshli tuda.Yes, let's go there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “oh well” translations and entries мдэ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries да, и, мдэ, ну, фиг, CC BY-SA 4.0.
