あらあら
The phrase ara ara in Japanese is an interjection meaning "oh my" or "goodness me".
The phrase あらあら is an interjection used to express mild surprise, dismay or endearment.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a reduplication of the interjection ara, which is a common way to express surprise, resulting in oh oh.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In Japanese media and social contexts, this specific reduplicated form is strongly associated with a feminine, often maternal or gentle, tone.
Did you know?
- The expression is so culturally coded toward a 'maternal' or 'gentle' persona that it is often used in fiction to create an air of mystery or even subtle menace in a character's politeness.
- While ara ara is feminine, men use the interjection oya oya to express the same feeling of mild surprise.
- Because the phrase is heavily associated with femininity, a man using ara ara in a real-life social setting would likely be perceived as extremely eccentric or performative.
Examples in context
- あらあら、そんなにたくさん食べたの？Ara ara, sonna ni takusan tabeta no?Oh my, did you eat that much?
- あらあら、大変なことになったわね。Ara ara, taihen na koto ni natta wa ne.Oh dear, that's quite a mess.
- あらあら、猫がまた窓の外を見ているわ。Ara ara, neko ga mata mado no soto o mite iru wa.Oh my, the cat is looking out the window again.
Example conversation
Yui sees Kenta accidentally dropping his keys into a tall plant.
- 結衣 Yuiあらあら、鍵を落としちゃったの？Ara ara, kagi o otoshichatta no?Oh dear, did you drop your keys?
- 健太 Kentaそうなんです、どこに入ったか分かりません。Sou nan desu, doko ni haitta ka wakarimasen.Yes, I don't know where they went.
- 結衣 Yui私が探してあげるわね。Watashi ga sagashite ageru wa ne.I'll help you look for them.
- 健太 Kentaありがとうございます、助かります。Arigatou gozaimasu, tasukarimasu.Thank you, that helps a lot.
