aai3 /ngaai3噫
Jyutpingaai3 /ngaai3
Yaleaai /ngaai
Definition
Ew; an interjection used to express disgust, often spoken with a lengthened final vowel.
colloquialemotion
How it's used
Pronouncing this interjection requires a distinct, high-pitched, and elongated vowel sound to convey genuine revulsion. It is almost exclusively used in informal settings among friends or family to react to something physically repulsive or socially inappropriate. Unlike standard written interjections, the emotional intensity is conveyed through the length and pitch of the sound rather than the character itself.
Examples
Ew, this thing smells so bad, take it away quickly!
Ew, why are you eating such disgusting stuff?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this in formal or professional settings as it can sound overly dramatic or rude. It is strictly for casual, spoken interactions and should not be used in written communication unless you are transcribing a dialogue.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
