eba
/ˈe.bɐ/
The English phrase 'yay' can be translated into Portuguese as eba. Wiktionary also lists oba and iúpi.
Meaning: an expression of happiness (intj)
Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA |
|---|---|
| eba | /ˈe.bɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈe.bɐ/ (Portugal) |
| oba | /ˈo.bɐ/ (Brazil) /ˈo.bɐ/ (Portugal) |
| iúpi | /ˈju.pi/ (Brazil) /ˈju.pi/ (Portugal) |
The interjection eba is used to express excitement and happiness, serving as a direct equivalent to the English 'yay'.
Which one should you use?
While eba is a standard way to express excitement, iúpi is a more phonetic and playful imitation of a cheer, similar to the English 'yippee'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
eba is an informal expression. The form oba is considered colloquial and has a childish tone, while iúpi is also used colloquially.
How do you pronounce it?
The word eba has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈe.bɐ/.
Did you know?
- The playful form iúpi is actually a linguistic traveler that entered Portuguese by imitating the English word 'whoopee'.
- While eba is used for general excitement, oba often carries a stronger nuance of 'finally' or 'at last'.
- In Brazil, oba is frequently used when someone receives a surprise gift or discovers an unexpected holiday.
Examples in context
- Vamos à praia amanhã! Eba! Mal posso esperar!We're going to the beach tomorrow! Yay! I can't wait!
- Ganhei ingressos para o show da minha banda favorita! Demais! Vai ser incrível!I won tickets to my favorite band's concert! Awesome! It's going to be amazing!
- Eba, vamos ao parque!Yay, let's go to the park!
- Eba, finalmente chegou o feriado.Yay, the holiday is finally here.
Example conversation
Mariana and Felipe are looking at their test results.
- MarianaEba! Eu tirei dez na prova!Yay! I got a ten on the test!
- FelipeParabéns, Mariana! Você estudou muito.Congratulations, Mariana! You studied a lot.
- MarianaE você, Felipe? Como foi?And you, Felipe? How did it go?
- FelipeEu também passei! Que ótimo!I passed too! That's great!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yay” translations and entries eba, oba, iúpi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries eba, iúpi, oba, CC BY-SA 4.0.
