ahi
/ˈaj/
The Italian exclamation for "ow" is ahi.
ahi is an exclamation used to express sudden physical pain, serving as the equivalent of the English "Ouch!"
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈaj/
Did you know?
- In Italian poetry and opera, ahi is frequently used as a sigh of emotional grief or longing rather than physical pain.
- In many Italian dialects, the exclamation for pain might shift to uai or uai! depending on the specific region, whereas ahi is the standard national form.
- Despite the similar sound, ahi is distinct from ah, which is used for surprise, realization or a sigh of relief.
Examples in context
- Ahi! Il mio collo!Ow! My neck!This sentence is useful for expressing pain in your neck.Tatoeba #11152625 by Guybrush88, translation #10268850 by shekitten
- Ahia! Questo caffè è caldo!Ow! This coffee is hot!This sentence is useful for expressing that a coffee is hot.Tatoeba #4362635 by Guybrush88, translation #4362627 by corbinjurgens
- Ahi!Ow!This sentence is useful for expressing a simple 'Ow!'Tatoeba #4556979 by Guybrush88, translation #3758593 by Wuzzy
- Mi fa male il piede.My foot hurts.
- Ahi! Mi sono tagliato con il coltello.Ouch! I cut myself with the knife.
- Ahi! Ho sbattuto il gomito contro il tavolo.Ouch! I bumped my elbow against the table.
- Accidenti! Mi sono bruciato con l'acqua calda.Darn it! I burned myself with hot water.
- Ahiè! M'hai pestato il piede con quella sedia.Ouch! You stepped on my foot with that chair.
- Ahiè! M'han dato un pizzicotto al braccio.Ow! They pinched my arm.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo accidentally steps on Sofia's foot.
- SofiaAhi! Mi hai calpestato il piede!Ow! You stepped on my foot!
- LorenzoScusami, Sofia! Non ti avevo vista.I'm sorry, Sofia! I didn't see you.
- SofiaFa ancora un po' male.It still hurts a little.
- LorenzoMi dispiace molto, Lorenzo è un maldestro.I am very sorry, Lorenzo is clumsy.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ahi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
