Spanish word

fi

Pronunciation

IPA/fi/

Meaning

  • interjectionew

Example

¡Fi! Está sucio.

Ew! It's dirty.

Illustration for fi (ew)

More examples

Al probar la leche, dijo ¡fi!

When he tasted the milk, he said 'ew'!

Core concept

A short expelled-breath sound of disgust.

Common phrases

  • decir ¡fi!

    say 'ew'

  • soltar un fi

    let out an 'ew'

  • exclamar ¡fi!

    exclaim 'ew'

Similar words

puaj: Short sharp exclamation conveying nausea-worthy disgust, as if about to gag.
qué asco: Direct strong exclamation of disgust at something especially revolting.
guácala: Exclamation of disgust aimed at something unclean or unhygienic.

Definition in Spanish

Señala rechazo o desagrado inmediato ante algo sucio, maloliente o repugnante.

Word origin

Probably an onomatopoeic interjection imitating a quick expelled breath or retching sound used to signal immediate revulsion, similar in function to English 'ugh' or German 'pfui'.

Usage tips

  • Informal and mainly spoken, fi is pronounced with an i like English 'fee' rather than 'fie' and speakers use '¡qué asco!' in more polite contexts.

Other meanings

  • yuckinterjection
  • ughinterjection

Opposites

  • ¡qué rico!yuminterjection
  • ñamyuminterjection

Word lists with this word