哎哟
āiyō
The English phrase "oof" can be translated into Chinese as 哎哟 (āiyō).
哎哟 is used to express sympathy for someone's pain, shock at a high price or sudden realization.
Meaning: expressing sympathy at another's pain, shock at a high price, etc. (intj)
How do you pronounce it?
āiyō
Did you know?
- If someone uses 哎哟 while pinching a child's cheek, it shifts from a sound of pain to a term of endearment or playful attention.
- Adding a third character to make it 哎哟喂 increases the emotional intensity and is often associated with a more colloquial or 'old Beijing' style of speaking.
- Depending on the tone and length, 哎哟 can be used sarcastically to mock someone who is overreacting to a minor injury.
Examples in context
- 唉，咖啡洒了！Oof, the coffee spilled!
- 哎呀，我忘记带重要文件了！Oof, I forgot to bring the important document!
- 糟了，我把菜煮焦了！Oops, I burned the dish!
- 靠，这个考试我考砸了！Oof, I messed up this exam!
- 哎哟，这也太贵了吧！Āiyō, zhè yě tài guì le ba!Oof, this is way too expensive!
- 哎哟，你脚疼吗？Āiyō, nǐ jiǎo téng ma?Oof, does your foot hurt?
- 哎哟，吓死我了。Āiyō, xià sǐ wǒ le.Oof, you scared me to death.
Example conversation
At a clothing store, Junjie looks at a price tag.
- 梓涵 Zihan这件外套多少钱？Zhè jiàn wàitào duōshǎo qián?How much is this coat?
- 俊杰 Junjie五千块。Wǔqiān kuài.Five thousand yuan.
- 梓涵 Zihan哎哟，真贵啊！Āiyō, zhēn guì a!Oof, that's truly expensive!
- 俊杰 Junjie确实有点贵。Quèshí yǒudiǎn guì.It really is a bit pricey.
