うわー
uwaa
The English phrase "ooh" can be expressed in Japanese as うわー (uwaa).
うわー is an informal interjection used to express surprise, amazement or the feeling of being overwhelmed by something unexpected. It is used to convey excitement or fascination.
Which one should you use?
While うわー often expresses positive or neutral surprise, the meaning can shift to express shock or dismay depending on the speaker's tone.
How do you pronounce it?
uwaa
Did you know?
- While うわー can express awe, if you elongate the final vowel significantly, it can transform from a sound of excitement into a sound of intense dread or horror, often used in ghost stories.
- Adults in formal Japanese environments often avoid うわー because it can sound childish. Instead, they use more measured sounds like ほう or おや to express interest without losing composure.
- The long vowel at the end of うわー is often achieved by using the 'chōonpu' dash symbol, a character that does not exist in the English alphabet but is essential for expressing the duration of an emotion in Japanese.
Examples in context
- うわー、きれい！Uwā, kirei!Ooh, it's beautiful!
- うわー、びっくりした！Uwā, bikkuri shita!Ooh, you startled me!
- うわー、おいしそう！Uwā, oishisō!Ooh, that looks delicious!
Example conversation
陽葵 and 陽太 are looking at a giant birthday cake.
- 陽葵 Himariうわー、すごいケーキ！Uwā, sugoi kēki!Ooh, what a huge cake!
- 陽太 Yota陽葵、驚いた？Himari, odoroita?Himari, were you surprised?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、すごくびっくりした。Un, sugoku bikkuri shita.Yeah, I was really surprised.
- 陽太 Yotaよかった。一緒に食べよう。Yokatta. Issho ni tabeyō.I'm glad. Let's eat it together.
