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欸 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
欸ǎisigh; an exclamatory soundzg, 11 strokes, radical 欠, rank #21998, Very Hard
欸ǎiexclamation Eh!unknown, 11 strokes, radical 欠, rank #21998, Very Hard
欸āisigh; an exclamatory soundzg, 11 strokes, radical 欠, rank #21998, Very Hard
欸āiexclamation Eh!unknown, 11 strokes, radical 欠, rank #21998, Very Hard
āi(ai1)ai
primary
T1
  1. 1sigh; an exclamatory sound
  2. 2exclamation Eh!
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March 24, 2026

欸āi(ai1)

The character 欸 (āi) is an interjection often used to express a range of emotions such as surprise, realization, or frustration. It's similar to the English exclamation 'Eh!' or a sigh, and is commonly used in conversational Mandarin to convey a casual tone or to grab someone's attention.

Strokes11Radical欠Frequency#21998DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, expressions of emotion like sighing can reflect deep feelings or communal understanding. The use of 欸 can create a sense of familiarity and intimacy in conversations, often signaling that the speaker feels comfortable with the listener.

Memory tip

Imagine a person sighing and saying 'Eh?' as they realize something important. The character 欸 visually resembles a person with a raised hand (the left side) questioning something, while the right side suggests a sighing expression. This connection helps you remember the sound 'āi' and its meaning.

Meanings of 欸

āi(ai1)
primary
1sigh; an exclamatory sound
2exclamation Eh!
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 欸

欸Simplified
11Strokes
欠Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 欸

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Podcast: 欸

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AI study notes for 欸

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include using 欸 in overly formal contexts, where it might seem out of place. It's primarily informal, and learners should be cautious with tone; the first tone (āi) is crucial, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning. Collocations often include phrases like 欸,怎么了? (Eh, what’s wrong?).

HSK Study Tips

Although 欸 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary lists, it reflects the informal and conversational aspects of Mandarin. Students should focus on its usage in dialogues and everyday conversations, as it helps with understanding nuances in tone and emotion.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 欸 with other interjections like 哎 (āi) or 嗯 (ēn), leading to incorrect contexts. Remember, 欸 is more about surprise or realization, while 哎 conveys a sense of lament or disappointment.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 欸

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Etymology of 欸

Decomposition of 欸

IDS Structure⿰矣欠
欸Full character
=
矣yi3
left
欠qian4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 欸?

How to say sigh; an exclamatory sound in Chinese

“sigh; an exclamatory sound” in Chinese is欸ǎi

The character 欸 (āi) is an interjection often used to express a range of emotions such as surprise, realization, or frustration. It's similar to the English exclamation 'Eh!' or a sigh, and is commonly used in conversational Mandarin to convey a casual tone or to grab someone's attention.

When to use 欸

Common mistakes include using 欸 in overly formal contexts, where it might seem out of place. It's primarily informal, and learners should be cautious with tone; the first tone (āi) is crucial, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning. Collocations often include phrases like 欸,怎么了? (Eh, what’s wrong?).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 欸 with other interjections like 哎 (āi) or 嗯 (ēn), leading to incorrect contexts. Remember, 欸 is more about surprise or realization, while 哎 conveys a sense of lament or disappointment.

Write 欸

欸

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

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Grammar patterns of 欸

欸 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 2

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

____, 你这话可不对呀!

Now, you can't say that.

Example sentences for 欸 (1)

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1
欸, 你这话可不对呀!

āi, nǐ zhè huà kě bùduì yā!

Now, you can't say that.

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Word Family of 欸

Words containing this character1
欸āisigh

Frequently asked questions about 欸

Use 欸 when you want to express a casual reaction, such as surprise or frustration. It's best suited for informal conversations.

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