[1] "Aiya!" - the quintessential Cantonese expression, so common that it is adopted by other cultures. It can signify surprise, pain, disappointment, frustration, anger, indignation and more, depending on inflection and context.

Nov 23, 2024 · → English: aiya, ai yah, aiyah; → Macanese: aia; → Thai: ไอ้หยา (âi-yǎa)

Aiya is an all-purpose phrase that comes from deep in the soul. Aiya is both simple and complex: on one hand it is a couple of Chinese characters, on the other hand it can be a whole speech...

Oct 18, 2020 · In short, Haiya means "oh shoot", but it is only used when you want to show disapproval. The Standard Chinese term would be 哎呀 (āi yā). However, you might notice others might pronounce it like ài ya. This is simply because no one exclaims in a “standardised” way.

Dec 14, 2021 · Well, Nigel grew up in KL where Cantonese is widely spoken and both "haiya" and "aiya" are used. Aiya is used to express shock or a sharp exclamation, while Haiya is more long drawn out to express a softer emotion like disappointment.

Oct 6, 2024 · aiya (China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Chinese Filipino, Chinese Australian, informal) ah; oh; exclamation of surprise, blame, dismay, shock, or fear. Synonym: haiya (Malaysia)

Mar 18, 2002 · Aiya is an all-purpose phrase that comes from deep in the soul. Aiya is both simple and complex: on one hand, it is a couple of Chinese characters; on the other hand, it can be a whole speech describing the state you are in. Aiya says …

Apr 12, 2021 · Below we list the many ways in which this wonderfully versatile and rather addictive little phrase can be used. Ah; oh; ugh; ouch; why; damn; my god; gosh; hey! 哎哟，唉哟，哎唷，唉唷 āi yō，啊呀 ā ya. 哎呀妈呀 āiya māya Mamma mia! (to emphasize the emotion) 哎呀我的天呐 āiyā wǒ de tiān nà Oh my god! (to show shock or extreme surprise) To show annoyance: 哎呀，蚊子太多了！

Feb 27, 2014 · What does Aiya mean? Have you heard the Chinese say it in conversations? Sometimes they even shout it followed with heated words. It’s the only expression I know that crosses the major dialects like Mandarin and Cantonese and used in the same way. It can mean “Oh crap!” or “Oops!” or “What the #@!%” depending on the situation.

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