The optical properties of inorganic fullerene-like and nanotube MS2 (M = Mo, W) material are studied through absorption and resonance Raman, and compared to those of the corresponding bulk material. The absorption measurements show that the semiconductivity is preserved. Nevertheless, the positions of the excitons are altered in comparison to the bulk. The Raman spectra of the nanoparticles show a close correspondence to that of the bulk. However, the first-order peaks are broadened and, under resonance conditions, new peaks are observed. The new peaks are assigned to disorder-induced zone edge phonons.