How common it is
唉 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say āi slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
唉表示叹气、无奈或感叹。
ài biǎo shì tàn qì 、 wú nài huò gǎn tàn。
唉 is an exclamation showing a sigh, helplessness, or emotion.
Context note
唉常出现在口语里。
ài cháng chū xiàn zài kǒu yǔ lǐ。
It often appears in spoken language.
5 examples
唉，今天真忙。
ài， jīn tiān zhēn máng。
Ah, today is really busy.
唉，我忘了带书。
ài， wǒ wàng le dài shū。
Oh no, I forgot to bring my book.
唉，这真麻烦。
ài， zhè zhēn má fán。
Sigh, this is really troublesome.
唉，别着急。
ài， bié zháo jí。
Oh, do not rush.
唉，先休息一下吧。
ài， xiān xiū xi yí xià ba。
Sigh, let us rest for a while first.
5 mini stories
唉，他又迟到了。
ài， tā yòu chí dào le。
Sigh, he was late again.
唉，天气怎么又变了。
ài， tiān qì zěn me yòu biàn le。
Oh no, why did the weather change again.
她叹了口气说，唉，慢慢来。
tā tàn le kǒu qì shuō， ài， màn màn lái。
She sighed and said, sigh, let us take it slowly.
唉，东西找不到了。
ài， dōng xī zhǎo bú dào le。
Oh no, I cannot find the thing.
大家听完都说，唉，真不容易。
dà jiā tīng wán dōu shuō， ài， zhēn bù róng yì。
After listening, everyone said, sigh, it is really not easy.