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噯 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
āiinterjection indicating regretzg, 16 strokes, radical 口
āi(ai1) T1
  1. 1interjection indicating regret
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March 24, 2026

āi(ai1)

The character 噯 (āi) is an interjection used to express regret or sorrow. It often conveys a sense of lamentation or disappointment, similar to saying 'oh' or 'alas' in English. This expression is typically used in informal contexts among friends or family.

Strokes16Radical
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, expressing emotions through interjections like 噯 is common, reflecting a communicative style that values emotional authenticity. It can often be heard in storytelling or when discussing past regrets.

Memory Tip

Imagine someone sighing with regret, saying 'āi' as they remember a missed opportunity. The sound 'āi' resembles the sound one makes when feeling sorry, and the character 噯 includes the 'mouth' radical (口), emphasizing that it's something you express vocally.

Meanings of 噯

āi(ai1)
1interjection indicating regret
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 噯

Simplified
16Strokes
Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 噯

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AI Study Notes for 噯

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine someone sighing with regret, saying 'āi' as they remember a missed opportunity. The sound 'āi' resembles the sound one makes when feeling sorry, and the character 噯 includes the 'mouth' radical (口), emphasizing that it's something you express vocally.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 噯 with other expressions of emotion. It's more informal and should be used in casual conversations rather than formal settings. Be mindful of the tone; using it with the right emotional weight is essential for conveying the intended sentiment.

HSK Study Tips

While 噯 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it’s beneficial to learn alongside other emotional expressions (like 哎 āi) to build a richer vocabulary. Focus on intonation and context when using interjections to enhance verbal communication.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, expressing emotions through interjections like 噯 is common, reflecting a communicative style that values emotional authenticity. It can often be heard in storytelling or when discussing past regrets.

Common Mistakes

Learners may incorrectly use 噯 in formal situations, such as business meetings. Instead, they should opt for more formal expressions of regret. For example, replacing 噯 with a more formal phrase would be more appropriate: '我很遗憾' (wǒ hěn yíhàn) meaning 'I regret it.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 噯

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Etymology of 噯

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 爱 represents the sound. Simplified form of 噯.

Memory Hint

mouth

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 噯?

Decomposition of 噯

IDS Structure⿰口愛
Full Character
=
kou3
left
ai4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 噯?

Write 噯

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Cultural Notes for 噯

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, expressing emotions through interjections like 噯 is common, reflecting a communicative style that values emotional authenticity. It can often be heard in storytelling or when discussing past regrets.

Word Family of 噯

Words Containing This Character3
āi(interj. of disapproval)
嗳气belching噯氣
嗳酸sour belching (medical term)噯酸
Exercise 1 of 3

Compound Meaning

What does 嗳 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 噯

No, 噯 is typically reserved for informal speech and should not be used in formal writing.

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