哇
wā
The English phrase "wow" can be translated into Chinese using 哇 (wā), which is the default form. Wiktionary also lists 哇塞 (wāsài) and 哎呀 (āiyā).
Meaning: amazement (intj)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 哇 | wā |
| 哇塞 | wāsài |
| 哎呀 | āiyā |
The word 哇 is primarily used as an interjection to express sudden wonder or amazement.
Which one should you use?
While 哇 expresses positive amazement, 哎呀 is often used to express surprise at something negative, such as a mistake or an unexpected problem. The form 哇塞 is a more colloquial and expressive way to say "wow" compared to the simple 哇.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase 哇塞 is an informal, playful way to say 'wow' in Chinese.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
wā
Did you know?
- The popular interjection 哇塞 actually has an unexpected and quite vulgar origin in the Hokkien dialect, where it literally translates to 'I fuck'.
- In many Chinese dialects, the word 哇 is also the character used to describe a baby's cry, similar to how English speakers might use 'wah'.
- In Chinese, an exclamation like 哇 can be stretched over several syllables to indicate the intensity of the speaker's shock.
Examples in context
- 他就像七月四日的煙火一樣耀眼！我心想：「哇！」He was bright like the 4th of July! "Wow!", I thought!This sentence shows how to use 哇 to express being dazzled by someone's brightness.Tatoeba #13575750 by LeviHighway, translation #4597050 by slyfin
- 哇，真不敢相信他們這次居然真的趕上截止日期了。Wow, I can't believe they actually met the deadline for once.This sentence demonstrates using 哇 to express disbelief at a positive outcome.Tatoeba #13833973 by LeviHighway, translation #13462575 by frpzzd
- 哇！Wow!This example shows the use of 哇 as a standalone exclamation.Tatoeba #13274606 by LeviHighway, translation #52027 by Zifre
- 你的演唱太棒了！哇！(Nǐ de yǎnchàng tài bàng le! Wā!)Your singing is fantastic! Wow!
- 你的成绩真了不起！(Nǐ de chéngjī zhēn liǎo bù qǐ!)Your grades are incredible!
- 他的绘画水平太厉害了！(Tā de huìhuà shuǐpíng tài lìhài le!)His painting skills are amazing!
- 看这个烟花！哇塞！(Kàn zhège yānhuā! Wā sāi!)Look at the fireworks! Wow!
- 你的新发明太牛了！(Nǐ de xīn fāmíng tài niú le!)Your new invention is so cool!
- 你能跑那么快？太厉害了吧！(Nǐ néng pǎo nàme kuài? Tài lìhài le ba!)You can run so fast? That's amazing!
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Jiayi are looking at a beautiful sunset.
- 志强 Zhiqiang哇，这个景色真美！Wa, zhège jǐngsè zhēn měi!Wow, this scenery is truly beautiful!
- 佳怡 Jiayi是啊，好壮观啊。Shì a, hǎo zhuàngguān a.Yes, it's so magnificent.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我们快点拍照吧。Wǒmen kuài diǎn pāizhào ba.Let's take photos quickly.
- 佳怡 Jiayi好，我也想留个纪念。Hǎo, wǒ yě xiǎng liú gè jìniàn.Okay, I want to keep a memory too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wow” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 哇, 哇塞, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
