How common it is
哎呀 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say āi yā slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
哎呀表示惊讶、着急或轻微抱怨。
āi yā biǎo shì jīng yà 、 zháo jí huò qīng wēi bào yuàn。
哎呀 expresses surprise, urgency, or mild complaint.
Context note
哎呀很口语，常见于突然发生的事。
āi yā hěn kǒu yǔ， cháng jiàn yú tū rán fā shēng de shì。
It is very spoken and often used when something sudden happens.
5 examples
哎呀，我忘了。
āi yā， wǒ wàng le。
Oh no, I forgot.
哎呀，太好了。
āi yā， tài hǎo le。
Oh, that is great.
哎呀，怎么会这样。
āi yā， zěn me huì zhè yàng。
Oh dear, how could this happen.
哎呀，快点儿。
āi yā， kuài diǎn ér。
Oh, hurry up.
哎呀，不小心打翻了。
āi yā， bù xiǎo xīn dǎ fān le。
Oh no, I accidentally spilled it.
5 mini stories
哎呀，作业还没写完。
āi yā， zuò yè hái méi xiě wán。
Oh no, the homework is not finished yet.
哎呀，雨下得真大。
āi yā， yǔ xià dé zhēn dà。
Oh dear, the rain is really heavy.
哎呀，原来是这样。
āi yā， yuán lái shì zhè yàng。
Oh, so that is how it is.
她一看时间就说，哎呀，要迟到了。
tā yí kàn shí jiān jiù shuō， āi yā， yào chí dào le。
She looked at the time and said, oh no, I am going to be late.
哎呀，别担心，慢慢来。
āi yā， bié dān xīn， màn màn lái。
Oh no, do not worry, take it slowly.