This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. Chinese to English
  3. Other

唉

English translation: right, yes, oh, haw, alas, alas, what a pity !, oh dear!

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Chinese term or phrase:唉
English translation:right, yes, oh, haw, alas, alas, what a pity !, oh dear!
Entered by: albertdeng

09:03 Jan 30, 2009
Chinese to English translations [PRO]
Other
Chinese term or phrase: 唉
象声词。叹气，表示无奈。

Is there a similar word in English?
albertdeng
New Zealand
Local time: 05:46
right, yes, oh, haw, alas, alas, what a pity !, oh dear!
Explanation:
Too many possibilities according to actual context. See following:

Vicon Chinese(S)-English Dictionary：
唉!
interj. (Trad=唉!, Pinyin=ai1) right, yes, oh, haw, alas, alas, what a pity !, oh dear!
Selected response from:

Adsion Liu
Canada
Local time: 13:46
Grading comment
Thank you.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5Oh!
HankHill
4right, yes, oh, haw, alas, alas, what a pity !, oh dear!
Adsion Liu
4Yeah, right, well
Kathy Huang (X)
3Sigh! Well. or Alas!
Shirley Chen


  

Answers


4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
Oh!


Explanation:
There's no definite translation of it by itself, as it can have various ways of being worded depending on the context of the sentence. it's just a general exclamation sound. Reference the link below to get the idea.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 13 mins (2009-01-30 09:16:58 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

唉an interjection, to express realization or agreement (yes, oh, right, etc.), ‘sigh’ esp. when sad

Just FYI.


    Reference: http://www.nciku.com/search/all/%E5%94%89
HankHill
United States
Local time: 10:46
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

20 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
Sigh! Well. or Alas!


Explanation:
'Sigh' was the first word I could think of. But it can only be used as a verb, not quite the same as '唉' which is a sound.

'Well' can work as '唉' too in some cases when you say it with a sigh.



Shirley Chen
United States
Local time: 12:46
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
PRO pts in category: 28
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
right, yes, oh, haw, alas, alas, what a pity !, oh dear!


Explanation:
Too many possibilities according to actual context. See following:

Vicon Chinese(S)-English Dictionary：
唉!
interj. (Trad=唉!, Pinyin=ai1) right, yes, oh, haw, alas, alas, what a pity !, oh dear!

Adsion Liu
Canada
Local time: 13:46
Native speaker of: Chinese
PRO pts in category: 24
Grading comment
Thank you.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
Yeah, right, well


Explanation:
Maybe these words are used more often.

Kathy Huang (X)
Canada
Local time: 13:46
Native speaker of: Native in ChineseChinese
PRO pts in category: 24
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search