مَا أَخْيَرَ فُلَانًا

, (A,) and ↓ مَا خَيْرَهُ, which latter is extr. [with respect to form, though more commonly used than the former], (TA,) [How good is such a one!] phrases similar to مَاأَشَّرَهُ and مَا شَّرَهُ [which have the contr. meaning]. (TA.) اللَّبَنَ لِلْمَرِيضِ ↓ مَا خَيْرَ [How good is milk for the diseased!], (K, * TA,) with nasb to the ر and ن, is an expression of wonder: (K:) it was said to Khalaf El-Ahmar, by an Arab of the desert, in the presence of Aboo-Zeyd; whereupon Khalaf said to him, “ What a good word, if thou hadst not defiled it by mentioning it to the [common] people! ” and Aboo-Zeyd returned to his companions, and desired them, when Khalaf ElAhmar should come, to say, all together, these words (ما خير اللبن للمريض), [in order to vex him], and they did so. (TA.)