Spanish word

huy

Pronunciation

IPA/uj/

Meaning

  • interjectionoh

Example

¡Huy! Olvidé las llaves.

Oh, I forgot my keys.

Illustration for huy (oh)

More examples

¡huy, casi me caigo!

Oh, I almost fell!

Core concept

A short 'oh' of sudden realization or mild alarm.

Common phrases

  • ¡huy, qué susto!

    Oh, what a scare

Similar words

ah: Brief soft sound indicating a quick realization or simple understanding.
uy: Short light exclamation signaling mild surprise or slight startle.

Definition in Spanish

Se usa para expresar sorpresa súbita, alarma leve o el descubrimiento de un olvido; su pronunciación es similar a /uj/.

Word origin

Onomatopoeic in origin and attested in both spellings huy and uy, reflecting the same interjection pronounced roughly /uj/ and used to mark abrupt surprise or a minor alarm.

Usage tips

  • Contrasts with the pain-focused exclamation '¡ay!'; huy is for discovered mistakes or sudden realization and typically sounds short and clipped.

Other meanings

  • oopsinterjection
  • wowinterjection

Word lists with this word