aray
/ʔaˈɾaj/
The Tagalog way to say "ouch" is aray. It is also spelled aruy. Wiktionary also lists aguy.
Meaning: expression of one’s own physical pain (intj)
Ways to say it
| Tagalog | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| aray | /ʔaˈɾaj/ (Standard Tagalog) | |
| aruy | /ʔaˈɾuj/ (Standard Tagalog) | alternative form |
| aguy |
aray is used as an interjection to react to sudden physical pain, such as a pinch, a cut or a bump. If you want to use a verb to describe the act of exclaiming "ouch!" in discomfort or pain, you can use umaray.
Which one should you use?
While aray is the standard way to say "ouch", aguy is a more visceral or intense variation often used to express sharper or more sudden pain. Additionally, aruy serves as an alternative spelling of aray.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/ʔaˈɾaj/
Did you know?
- In the Philippines, saying aray can be used playfully or sarcastically during a flirtatious conversation to signal a 'sting' to one's heart or ego.
- A long, drawn-out arayyy is sometimes used as a reaction to a shocking event or an awkward social blunder rather than physical pain.
- The word aray descends from the Proto-Malayo-Polynesian word aduq, linking the Filipino expression of pain to languages across Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Examples in context
- Aray!Ouch!This sentence shows the use of aray as a standalone exclamation.Tatoeba #10500859 by Adelpa, translation #3758587 by Wuzzy
- Aray! Nahulog ako.Ouch! I fell down.
- Ayy! Napaso ako sa kalan.Ouch! I got burned by the stove.
- Sakit! Nasagasaan ako ng bisikleta.Ouch! I got run over by a bicycle.
- Aray, ang sakit ng ulo ko.Ouch, my head hurts.
- Aray! Nasaktan ako.Ouch! I got hurt.
Example conversation
Maria accidentally bumps her elbow against the table.
- MariaAray!Ouch!
- RicardoAno ang nangyari, Maria?What happened, Maria?
- MariaTumama ang siko ko sa mesa.My elbow hit the table.
- RicardoAy, pasensya na.Oh, I'm sorry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ouch” translations and entries aray, aruy, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aray, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
