Interjections are short words or sounds that show emotion or reaction in quick speech. Mandarin Chinese uses many vivid interjections in everyday conversation, so learning a few common ones helps you sound natural and expressive.
Common Interjections
Common interjections signal surprise, amazement, frustration, or approval. They are often used aloud and sometimes appear in informal writing to capture tone.
| Hanzi Character(s) | Pinyin Word(s) | English Translation(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 哎呀 | āiyā | Oops / Oh no / Wow | |
| 哇 | wā | Wow / Whoa | |
| 唉 | āi | Sigh / Alas / Oh dear | |
| 嗨 | hāi | Hi / Hey | |
| 哈哈 | hāhā | Haha / Laughing | |
| 呃 | è | Uh / Er (hesitation) |
Table
Table notes
Quiz on Common Interjections
Usage
Interjections typically stand alone or come at the beginning of a sentence to signal the speaker’s immediate feeling. They can be repeated for emphasis, and tone of voice matters in how they’re received.
Examples
Quiz on Usage
Nuance
Some interjections like āiyā (哎呀) can express different reactions—surprise, mild annoyance, or sympathy—depending on context and intonation. Others are more playful or casual.
Quiz on Nuance
Summary
Interjections are short, vivid words that show quick emotions in speech. Learn a handful of common ones like āiyā (哎呀) and wā (哇) to make your Mandarin sound natural and expressive in everyday moments.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025