aai1 jo1哎喲哎哟
Jyutpingaai1 jo1
Yaleāai yō
Definition
An exclamation expressing pain, surprise, or annoyance.
colloquialemotionparticle
How it's used
This interjection is highly versatile and serves as a natural reflex for sudden physical discomfort or mild shock. It is often used to soften the tone of a complaint or to express empathy when someone else experiences a minor mishap. Unlike more formal expressions of surprise, it carries a distinctly casual and spontaneous feel.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 哎呀, which is more commonly used to express frustration, annoyance, or regret. While both can express surprise, 哎喲 leans more towards physical pain or a sudden startle, whereas 哎呀 is better suited for when you make a mistake or realize you forgot something.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
