Definition
哇 (wā) is an onomatopoeia/interjection for the sound of surprise or delight ('wow'), as well as the sound of a child crying or retching. For expressing surprise, 嘿 (hēi) is more like a casual 'hey' or 'wow' used to call attention, while 哇 is the direct exclamation of amazement.
onomatopoeia
exclamation of surprise or delight (wow)sound of a child cryingsound of retching or vomiting
Easily confused
- 挂guàlook-aliketo hang; to hang up (a phone)
- 挖wāsound-aliketo dig, to excavate
- 吐tǔlook-aliketo spit out (from the mouth)
- 瓦wǎsound-alikeroof tile
- 鞋xiélook-alikeshoe
Examples
- 哇，！wā, zhège lǐwù tài ràng rén jīngxǐ le!Wow, this gift is such a pleasant surprise!
- 哇。Háizi wā de kū le qǐlái.The child started crying with a 'wa' sound.
- 哇。Tā wā de bǎ gāng chī de dōngxi quán tù le.He made a retching sound and threw up everything he just ate.
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