what is the meaning of "mind you"?

[moonlike]

Hi
I can't really take in what "mind you" means exactly. I have looked it up in a dictionary and I found "It's used when you want to make what you have just said sound less strong";these are the examples that I found also: "he's very untidy about the house; mind you, I'm not much better" or "I know I'm lazy- I did go swimming yesterday,mind".
If I want to use one alternative instead, what should I use? Can I use "however"?
Thanks a million.

 

[~Mav~]

*** NOT A TEACHER ***


It means something like, "take into consideration", "I have to say", "I have to admit", etc. Sometimes I see it used for "be advised";
mind you, I am not an English teacher.

 

[TheParser]

Hi
I can't really take in what "mind you" means exactly.

NOT A TEACHER


Hello, moonlike:

May I add my comments to Mav's excellent answer?

Mona is speaking with her neighbors:

"Have you heard the latest news? I hear that some people with purple hair have just bought a house in our

neighborhood. I have nothing against people with purple hair, mind you. But I hear that when they move in, the

property values drop very fast."

I think it means something like: People with purple hair are moving into our neighborhood. Of course I am not a

prejudiced person (of course, not!), but other people say that ....

 

[emsr2d2]

If you look at the definitions here, and read verb (intransitive) definition 1, I think that fits how it's used. The word order is what is most unusual about it. What you are actually saying is "Please mind (take notice) of what I am saying". There are some dialects in the UK who don't bother with the word "you".

I don't like pork pies, mind, but I bought one for my friend anyway.

 

[tzfujimino]

Hello, moonlike.:-D
For your reference:
mind - Definition from Longman English Dictionary Online
Merriam-Webster's Learner's Dictionary
mind - Definition and pronunciation | Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com

The expression seems to be used a bit differently from "however".
(I understand what you mean, though.)
:-D

 

[moonlike]

Thank you all indeed. Could you kindly tell me if we can use "F.Y.I" or "for the record" instead of "mind you"?

 

[bhaisahab]

Thank you all indeed. Could you kindly tell me if we can use "F.Y.I" or "for the record" instead of "mind you"?

No, don't do that. Although the meaning is pretty much the same "mind (you)" 'feels' different.