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March 24, 2026
誒éi(ei2)
The character 誒 (éi) is an interjection used in Mandarin to express surprise, disagreement, or agreement, depending on the tone used. In casual conversations, it often serves as an attention-getter or a filler, similar to 'oh' or 'hey' in English, and can convey a range of emotions depending on the context.
Strokes14Radical言Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In casual Chinese conversations, interjections like 誒 are commonly used to make dialogue more lively and expressive, reflecting the importance of tone and emotion in communication.
Memory Tip
Imagine a surprised person exclaiming 'é!' when something unexpected happens. The character has a mouth (口) and a sound component (音), suggesting a vocal reaction. Visualize a person raising their eyebrows and saying 'é!' as a way to remember its use in expressing surprise.
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AI Study Notes for 誒
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a surprised person exclaiming 'é!' when something unexpected happens. The character has a mouth (口) and a sound component (音), suggesting a vocal reaction. Visualize a person raising their eyebrows and saying 'é!' as a way to remember its use in expressing surprise.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse the tones of 誒, leading to misunderstandings. Remember that the second tone (éi) indicates surprise, the third tone (ěi) shows disagreement, and the fourth tone (è) signifies agreement. It's primarily used in informal settings.
HSK Study Tips
Though not part of the official HSK vocabulary, understanding 誒 can enhance conversational skills at the beginner level. Students should focus on practicing the different tones to master its various usages.
Cultural Note
In casual Chinese conversations, interjections like 誒 are commonly used to make dialogue more lively and expressive, reflecting the importance of tone and emotion in communication.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use the wrong tone for 誒, leading to confusion. For example, saying 'ěi' when they mean 'éi' can change the meaning from surprise to disagreement. Always practice the correct tones to avoid this mistake.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 誒
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Cultural Notes for 誒
🏮Cultural insight
In casual Chinese conversations, interjections like 誒 are commonly used to make dialogue more lively and expressive, reflecting the importance of tone and emotion in communication.
Word Family of 誒
Words Containing This Character1
诶ēihey (to express surprise)誒
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 诶 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 誒
It can mean 'oh' or 'hey' and express surprise, disagreement, or agreement depending on the tone.
You can use it to grab someone's attention or to express your feelings about a statement made.
Yes, words like 哎 (āi) and 嗯 (ēn) also serve as interjections but have different connotations.
