am2唵

Jyutpingam2

Yaleám

Rare

Definition

An interjection expressing oh or so; also used in Buddhist transliterations as om.

oh; so (expressing interrogation)
technicalom (used in Buddhist transliterations)

colloquialcommunication

How it's used

Used primarily as an interjection to signal a sudden realization or the processing of new information. It functions similarly to "oh" or "ah" in English, often appearing at the start of a sentence to bridge the gap between hearing a fact and reacting to it. While it shares space with 噢, 唵 is specifically common in spoken Cantonese to convey a slightly more thoughtful or "aha" moment.

Examples

am2唵，jyun4原loi4來hai6係gam3咁㗎？

Oh, so that's how it is?

am2唵，ngo5我caa1差di1啲m4唔gei3記dak1得zo2咗。

Oh, I almost forgot.

Related words

synonymou3噢ousee alsohaak3吓hak

Common phrases

am2唵，hai6係gam3咁joeng2樣

Oh, it is like that

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the Buddhist mantra "Om" which is also written as 唵. In daily speech, the interjection is purely a sound of realization and lacks any religious connotation.