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唉 (ài) — (interjection) expresses sigh, regret, disappointment, or resignation; (interjection) used to respond to someone calling you, showing agreement or recognition

Definition

唉 (ài) is the sighing interjection — used for regret, weariness, or resignation ("oh, what bad luck"). 哎 is the calling/alarming interjection; 啊 is for surprise. 叹气 is the verb "to sigh."

interjection
expresses sighregretdisappointmentor resignationused to respond to someone calling you, showing agreement or recognition
Easily confused

Examples

  • 唉，。
    ài, Jīn tiān zhēn dǎo méi.
    Oh, what bad luck today.
  • 唉，。
    ài, Wǒ wàng le dài qián bāo.
    Oh no, I forgot to bring my wallet.
  • 唉，。
    ài, Wǒ zài zhè r ne.
    Yes, I'm right here.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
口口kǒumouth
Sound part声符shēngfú
矣
矣yǐ唉ài
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

唉 combines 口 (mouth) with 矣, which gives the sound; the mouth part fits its use for spoken feelings like sympathy or disappointment.

Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5HSK 2.0 Level 5Emotions & Feelings3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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