Interjections

Surprise interjections register an unexpected event and often come with widened eyes or a quick gasp, useful when something sudden happens at a market or show.

Interjections of joy celebrate good news or pleasant discoveries and are common when finding a favorite food stall or meeting a friend unexpectedly.

Sadness interjections express disappointment, regret, or sympathy and fit moments like a stall closing or missing an event.

Anger interjections signal annoyance, frustration, or outrage and are often short and sharp, suitable for when something goes wrong in a busy setting.

Doubt interjections show uncertainty, skepticism, or reluctance, used when information seems unreliable or when planning is unsure.

Relief interjections release tension after a worry is resolved, like when a lost item is found or a long line moves quickly.

Farewell interjections close conversations with warmth or haste, commonly used at the end of encounters at markets, cafes, or performances.

Attention interjections grab notice or warn others, useful for calling someone over or alerting a crowd to a performance or hazard.

Interjections are brief, instinctive words that signal emotion and attention. Learn a handful of common ones, notice their tone in real examples, and use them to make your Spanish lively and expressive.

Common interjections come from sounds people naturally make when reacting, like ¡ay!, ¡uf!, and ¡eh!. They can signal pain, relief, attention, or hesitation depending on context.

Interjections often change meaning slightly based on tone and situation; for example, ¡vaya! can express genuine surprise or mild irony. Pay attention to how native speakers use them in context to grasp these subtleties.

In writing, interjections are usually set off with exclamation marks and sometimes commas when followed by more speech. They help convey the speaker’s voice and emotional intensity to the reader.

Some interjections vary by Spanish-speaking region; for instance, ¡caray! is more common in Mexico while ¡hostia! appears in Spain. Learning local favorites can make your speech sound more natural in a particular area.