Chinese word

咦

Pronunciation

Pinyinyí

Meaning

  • interjectionoh

Example

咦，我的手机呢？yí wǒ de shǒu jī ne

Oh, where's my phone?

Illustration for 咦 (oh)

More examples

咦，真的吗？我没听清楚。yí zhēn de ma wǒ méi tīng qīng chǔ

Oh, really? I didn't hear that clearly.

Core concept

A small vocal pause that marks a new, slightly puzzling observation.

Common phrases

  • 咦，真的吗yí zhēn de ma

    Oh, really

  • 咦，不是吧yí bú shì ba

    Oh, no way

Similar words

啊a: A short sound expressing sudden surprise.
哦ó: A short sound marking a moment of realization.
哇wa: An excited exclamation showing strong wonder.

Definition in Chinese

用于表达对眼前事物产生轻微惊讶或疑惑的短促语气词，语气通常较轻，多见于口语并可接疑问句。yòng yú biǎo dá duì yǎn qián shì wù chǎn shēng qīng wēi jīng yà huò yí huò de duǎn cù yǔ qì cí yǔ qì tōng cháng jiào qīng duō jiàn yú kóu yǔ bìng kě jiē yí wèn jù

Word origin

咦 (yí, "oh") is written as 口 (kǒu, "mouth") + 夷 (yí, "barbarian"), with 口 linking the character to a spoken reaction and 夷 mainly guiding the sound.

Usage tips

  • For English speakers, its mild tone usually signals a small mismatch or fresh discovery, not shock, so it fits casual conversation better than a dramatic exclamation.

Other meanings

  • huhinterjection
  • ehinterjection

Word lists with this word