มั่ว

[SoftWater]

มั่ว - I've come across this word in two senses.

1. to guess / guesswork

Such as if you ask a student how was an exam they just took, they might say something like 'I had to guess most of the answers / It was all guesswork'.

Unfortunately, I can't provide a sample sentence here, and can't quite remember how it was used. If anyone can give me a real example of this word in use meaning 'to guess' (not a Lexitron one, thanks!) I would be most grateful.

2. The second sense, which I come across almost daily, is as a one-word retort to a comment from someone else.

e.g.,

A: 'You just farted!

B: 'Mua!'

However, exactly what the retort implies I'm not sure.

Lexitron and other dictionaries record the meaning 'to be licentious', but since this expression is a staple of my five and three year old children, I'm guessing that theirs is a different understanding. Despite hearing this word frequently, the contexts are so varied that I can't quite get a handle on the meaning, and asking my usual sources (mrs and colleagues) has only increased my confusion.

Any thoughts?

Edited September 4, 2010 by SoftWater

[Rikker]

It basically means "BS!" or "You're full of it!" -- a retort refuting the veracity of the previous statement. When I was a kid we would've said, "Yeah right!"

[rakloke]

Both softwater and rikker have provided its correct meanings.

This word is definitely a slang and is often used by young generation. It sounds impolite or moody if used by adults.

"licentious" is one of its meanings, particularly when he/she often has new girl/boyfriends.

But in most general meaning , it describes an action done by lack of true/correct knowledges.

[tgeezer]

"licentious" is one of its meanings, particularly when he/she often has new girl/boyfriends.

But in most general meaning , it describes an action done by lack of true/correct knowledges.

Thats good can you say which you mean มัว or มั่ว.

In English มัว is 'fuzzy, blurred?. Before a verb it seems to mean concern about the action มัวทำ มัวพูด from the dictionary I have, either of which works, as perfomance in the exam or reporting on that performance.

From the above quotation; 'you can't prove it' as a retort used by kids to one another.

'Licentious= Immorality in sexual relations, is difficult to contrive any connection, unless the word in this case is มั่ว which is to stack-up, assemble, etc. together.

I apologise for this speculation but it helps me remember the meanings of words

Edited September 4, 2010 by tgeezer

[rakloke]

Hi tgeezer

We are talking about "มั่ว" here, aren't we? "มัว" is a different word. And it is not a slang.

I think your "มัว" has two meanings.

As an adjective it means " dim or blurred". But as a verb it means "be engrossed in".

Back to "มั่ว", its meaning as licentious - immorality in sexual relations in terms of having new girl/boyfriends, often or always.

[Rikker]

Right, we're definitely talking about มั่ว, not มัว.

Another phrase มั่ว is found in is มั่วสุม, which means to assemble for nefarious purposes, which could be gambling, drug use, sex, any number of things.

แหล่งมั่วสุม - shady hangouts, disreputable places

มั่วสุมทางเพศ - to have a sexual rendesvous

มั่วสุมเสพยา(เสพติด) - do drugs together, get together for the purpose of doing drugs

[klons]

Both softwater and rikker have provided its correct meanings.

This word is definitely a slang and is often used by young generation. It sounds impolite or moody if used by adults.

"licentious" is one of its meanings, particularly when he/she often has new girl/boyfriends.

But in most general meaning , it describes an action done by lack of true/correct knowledges.

This is an example for the most general meaning. I got this from some pay for lessons.

Kaao is a kids name and it refers to him pressing buttons for a computer game he doesn't know how to play.

Kaao randomly pressed them, right?

ก้าว ก็ กด ไป มั่วๆ ใช่ ป่ะ

[SoftWater]

This is an example for the most general meaning. I got this from some pay for lessons.

Kaao is a kids name and it refers to him pressing buttons for a computer game he doesn't know how to play.

Kaao randomly pressed them, right?

ก้าว ก็ กด ไป มั่วๆ ใช่ ป่ะ

Thanks Klons, that seems to confirm this, then:

My old 2nd edition copy of DS lists other meanings that Lexitron doesn't (I'm not sure if there still in the 4th edition as it's at the office):

1. undiscriminating, in a mess, chaotic, erratic

(actually I think there's 3 different meanings just here, but anyway, that's what's in the dictionary)

คอมพิวเตอร์ก็ม่ัวได้

A computer can be erratic.

อาหาร ถ้าสั่งดีๆ เป็นไม่แพง สั่งมั่วๆ ก็มักจะแพง

If you order carefully, its not expensive but if you order indiscriminately it is.

2. ทำมั่วๆ - to do any old which way

ข้อสอบง่ายมาก ทำม่ัวๆ ก็ถูก

The questions are so easy, you can do it any old which way and you'll be right.

The translations are DS's, not mine.

Edited September 4, 2010 by SoftWater