ai
/ˈaj/
The English phrase "ouch" is translated to Portuguese as ai. Wiktionary also lists au.
Meaning: expression of one’s own physical pain (intj)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| ai | /ˈaj/ (Brazil) /ˈaj/ (Portugal) |
| au | /ˈaw/ (Brazil) /ˈaw/ (Portugal) |
ai is used to express one's own physical pain. Beyond physical sensation, it can also be used to express emotional distress, surprise or a sense of regret, such as in the phrase Ai, que pena! (Oh, what a pity!).
Which one should you use?
ai is the standard way to express pain. In contrast, au is a more colloquial or childish variation, often used to mimic a dog's bark or a sharper, more playful sting.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈaj/
Did you know?
- If you use ai in a romantic context in a Portuguese song, it often transitions from an expression of pain to an expression of intense desire or longing.
- While ai expresses your own pain, Portuguese speakers often say ai when they see someone else get hurt, acting as a sympathetic reflex.
- In some regions, ai is used in the phrase ai, ai to express deep exhaustion or to signal that a task is becoming overwhelmingly difficult.
Examples in context
- Ai, meu olhos doem.Ouch! My eyes hurt.This example shows how to use ai when expressing that eyes are hurting.Tatoeba #2093704 by MarlonX19, translation #2093445 by gleki
- Ai! Eu mordi a minha língua!Ouch! I bit my tongue!This example demonstrates using ai when one has bitten their tongue.Tatoeba #3805977 by muriloricci, translation #3555061 by yosia49
- Ai! Eu mordi a minha língua.Ouch! I bit my tongue.This is another example of using ai to express the pain of biting one's tongue.Tatoeba #3845405 by muriloricci, translation #3844689 by Youmu970
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas accidentally bumps his foot against a chair.
- LucasAi! Bati o pé na cadeira.Ouch! I hit my foot on the chair.
- MarianaVocê está bem, Lucas?Are you okay, Lucas?
- LucasSim, mas está doendo um pouco.Yes, but it hurts a little.
- MarianaDeixe-me ver se está inchado.Let me see if it is swollen.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ouch” translations and entries ai, au, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
