うわー
uwaa
The Japanese expression for "whoa" is うわー (uwaa).
うわー is an interjection used to express surprise. It can convey positive amazement, similar to "wow" or negative shock and dismay, similar to "oh no". Other ways to express surprise include すごい, which means amazing or great and the slang version すげえ, which conveys a sense of amazement.
Meaning: expression of surprise (intj)
Which one should you use?
While うわー expresses a prolonged reaction to something impressive or surprising, the clipped version うわっ is used for sudden, sharp shocks or near-accidents.
How do you pronounce it?
uwaa
Did you know?
- While うわー is a common reaction, it is technically a vocalization of a sudden intake or release of breath rather than a structured word with a specific meaning.
- While うわー is gender-neutral, some speakers may use ひゃあ to express a more high-pitched or childish sense of surprise.
- In Japanese manga and anime, the expression うわー is often written with a long dash called a 長音符 to visually represent the duration of the gasp or scream.
Examples in context
- 「ただいま、持ち帰り買ってきた」「なになに？」「とんこつラーメンよ」「うわー、僕のことよくわかってるね！いただきまーす」"I'm back! I brought some takeout." "What'd you get?" "Some tonkotsu ramen." "Whoa, you know me so well! Well, let's eat already!"This sentence shows how to use うわー to express positive amazement when someone does something you like.Tatoeba #10701601 by DJ_Saidez, translation #10712753 by DJ_Saidez
- すごい！このビルの高さは信じられない！Whoa! The height of this building is unbelievable!
- すげえ！それで本当にできるの？Whoa! Can you really do that?
- うわー、すごい景色！uwā, sugoi keshiki!Whoa, what an amazing view!
- うわー、びっくりした！uwā, bikkuri shita!Whoa, you scared me!
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are looking at a massive cake in a shop window.
- 蓮 Renうわー、あのケーキ、すごく大きいね！uwā, ano kēki, sugoku ookii ne!Whoa, that cake is huge!
- 結衣 Yui本当だね、美味しそう！hontō da ne, oishisō!It really is, looks delicious!
- 蓮 Ren結衣、食べてみる？Yui, tabete miru?Yui, do you want to try some?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、ぜひ！un, zehi!Yes, definitely!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
