ajá
/aˈxa/
The English phrase 'uh huh' can be translated into Spanish as ajá.
ajá is an informal sound used to show that you are listening to someone or to express agreement. It can function both as a way to say 'I see' or 'I'm listening' to signal that you are following a conversation, and as a casual way to say 'yes' or 'correct'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ajá is an informal term used in casual settings.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, you can also use Vale, De acuerdo or Sí, sí to indicate agreement. In Argentina, Dale is a common expression used to indicate agreement.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈxa/
Did you know?
- While ajá acts as a casual 'uh huh' in many regions, using it with a rising intonation in some Spanish-speaking countries can transform it into a skeptical 'Oh, really?' used to challenge a statement.
- The word vale, used in Spain as an alternative to ajá, originally comes from the Latin 'valere' meaning 'to be strong' or 'to be worth'.
- If you are listening to a storyteller, using ajá too frequently or with too much emphasis can actually signal to the speaker that you are bored or impatient rather than engaged.
Examples in context
- Ajá, entiendo lo que dices.Uh huh, I understand what you're saying.
- ¿Ajá, y luego qué pasó?Uh huh, and then what happened?
- Ajá, eso es verdad.Uh huh, that is true.
Example conversation
Lucía is listening to Alejandro describe his day at work.
- LucíaCuéntame, ¿cómo estuvo tu día?Tell me, how was your day?
- AlejandroFue muy largo y cansado.It was very long and tiring.
- LucíaAjá, ¿y tuviste mucho trabajo?Uh huh, and did you have a lot of work?
- AlejandroSí, no paré ni un momento.Yes, I didn't stop for a moment.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ajá, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
