Dictionary

nah mean en · INTJ

Pronunciation

• audio
• [nɘːɘˈmĩ] (General-American)
• [nɑːɑˈmĩ] (Southern-US)
• audio

Etymology

A contraction of knowwhaddamean, itself a contraction of do you know what I mean; from *kno’ what Ah mean, an AAVE variant, which became *kno’ wha’ ah mean > *kno’ ’a’ ah mean, then finally *kna’ ah mean, which is spelled nah ah mean or nah mean, the former of which represents the actual pronunciation more faithfully, but is less commonly used (especially so by AAVE speakers themselves, who prefer the latter form). Equivalent to kn[ow] [wh]a[t] Ah mean.

Meanings

1. (abbreviation, alt-of, contraction, qualifier:African-American Vernacular) Contraction of do you know what I mean?.
   alt of do you know what I mean?
   • Pull up to the scene, nah mean Black and brown boys looking clean, nah mean A dolla and a dream, nah mean A bunch of kings, hanging out in Queens, nah mean 2021 May 18, “BNBB Freestyle”, Guy Furious, DJ Komari (music)performed by Anik Khan ft. KIN:
   • Real money getters around here nah mean Nah mean I used to think it was the first million that was the hardest You heard ? 2020 November 19, Gustavo Guaapo, “Built Different (Outro)”, in Playa's Karma:
   • You know how he used to say it Nah mean? B-r-r-ing, warm up 2014, J. Cole, “Blowin Smoke”, in Revenge of the Dreamers:
   • He ain't gonna know what hit him, nah mean? 2007, 52:33 from the start, in Rob Schneider, director, Big Stan, spoken by Nazi Inmate (Kevan Paul Hewett), Sony Pictures Home Entertainment:
   • Michael: We're gonna use this [hip-hop magazine] to hip you up, starting with your speech, all right? Michael: I highlighted some very important words that I want you to incorporate into your language. (shows page) Junior: Nah -- nah ha mean -- na -- na ha mem? Michael: No, it's not Hebrew. Junior: Okay. Michael: It's Ebonics. It's "nah mean?". It means, "you know what i mean?". 2002 October 23, Don Reo, Damon Wayans, Damien Dante Wayans, “Claire's New Boyfriend” (10:55–11:10 from the start), in Andy Cadiff, director, My Wife and Kids, season 3, episode 6, spoken by Michael Kyle and Michael Jr. (Damon Wayans and George Gore II):
   • My see nah mean You mean nah say Nah' mean nah'm sayin' when I'm kickin' this game Hot streak these words nowhere flip it the same Concede indeed Jean frickin' the same My speak nah mean 2005, The Herbaliser, “Nah Mean Nah’m Saying”, in Jake Wherry, Ollie Teeba (music), Take London ft. Jean Grae:

Forms