Spanish word

ay

Pronunciation

IPA/ai̯/

Meaning

  • interjectionoh

Example

¡Ay! Se me cayó el vaso.

Oh! I dropped the glass.

Illustration for ay (oh)

More examples

¡Ay, qué dolor!

Ouch, that hurts!

Core concept

Brief vocal outburst indicating pain, surprise, or sorrow.

Common phrases

  • ay, qué dolor

    Ouch, that hurts

  • ay, perdón

    Oh, sorry

  • ay, no

    Oh, no

Similar words

oh: Brief, soft exclamation expressing admiration or praise.
uy: Short startled exclamation showing surprise at the unexpected.
ah: Brief, quiet exclamation signaling sudden realization or understanding.
uf: Short exhaled sound expressing irritation, annoyance, or being fed up.

Definition in Spanish

Expresa dolor, sorpresa o lamento ante un hecho inesperado o molesto.

Word origin

It is inherited from Old Romance forms ai/ay and survives in Spanish as a brief vocal sign of pain, sudden surprise, or lament.

Usage tips

  • English speakers sometimes write aye or confuse ay with hay, and in speech the length and stress of ay help listeners distinguish pain from mere surprise.

Other meanings

  • ouchinterjection

Word lists with this word