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

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