¡uy!
The Spanish way to say 'sheesh' is ¡uy!
The expression ¡uy! is used to express exasperation. You might also use other informal phrases to convey similar feelings of annoyance or disbelief, such as ¡Qué fastidio! to say 'how annoying' or ¡Ay, por favor! to mean 'oh, please'.
Meaning: expression of exasperation (intj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the expression Vaya tela is used to express astonishment or surprise.
Did you know?
- In some Latin American contexts, a long, drawn-out ¡Uyyyy! is used to tease someone about a romantic crush or a 'juicy' piece of gossip.
- Unlike the English 'sheesh', which is almost exclusively used for disbelief or annoyance, ¡uy! can also be used to express genuine wonder or admiration at something beautiful.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, ¡uy! is often accompanied by a quick suction of air through the teeth or a slight recoil of the body to emphasize the shock.
Examples in context
- ¡Uy!, qué calor hace hoy.Sheesh, it is so hot today.
- ¡Uy!, no puedo creer que haya perdido las llaves.Sheesh, I can't believe I lost my keys.
- ¡Uy!, ese precio es demasiado alto.Sheesh, that price is too high.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are reacting to a very long line at the supermarket.
- Alejandro¡Uy!, mira cuánta gente hay.Sheesh, look how many people there are.
- SofíaSí, vamos a tardar mucho.Yes, we are going to be a long time.
- AlejandroEspero que no sea demasiado tarde.I hope it is not too late.
- SofíaNo te preocupes, Alejandro.Don't worry, Alejandro.
