Spanish word

ah

Pronunciation

IPA/a/

Meaning

  • interjectionah

Example

Escuché la explicación y dije ah, ahora entiendo.

After hearing the explanation, I said 'ah' and now I understand.

Illustration for ah (ah)

More examples

Al equivocarme, dije ah, perdón.

When I made a mistake, I said ah, sorry.

Core concept

A short, single-syllable exclamation signaling sudden understanding or mild surprise.

Common phrases

  • ah, perdón

    Ah, sorry

Similar words

ajá: Short confirming sound showing quick understanding of what was said.
oh: Short exclamation expressing surprise or admiration.
eh: Soft, brief utterance indicating mild surprise.

Definition in Spanish

Palabra monosílaba que, según la entonación, sirve para expresar realización, sorpresa leve o emoción contenida.

Word origin

An onomatopoeic interjection based on a natural short vowel exhalation, retained in Spanish as the monosyllabic ah.

Usage tips

  • Intonation and length change the sense, with a short, flat ah often showing realization and a longer or rising ah signaling surprise.

Other meanings

  • ohinterjection
  • oohinterjection

Word lists with this word