哇

wā

HSK 3.0 Level 6 Onomatopoeia Very common

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This word has multiple dictionary entries. Choose the reading or usage you want to review.

哇

wā Onomatopoeia Wow!; sound of a child's crying

哇

wa replaces 啊[a] when following the vowel \u\ or \ao\

Definitions

1. Wow!
2. sound of a child's crying
3. sound of vomiting

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Character focus

Stroke order

9 strokes

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Word relationships

Related words

2 items

• 呀 ya 呀 ya (particle equivalent to 啊 after a vowel, expressing surprise or doubt) Both are exclamatory particles; 呀 (ya) is a variant of 啊 after open vowels, used in similar contexts but less emphatic than 哇.: (particle equivalent to 啊 after a vowel, expressing surprise or doubt)
• 哇塞 wā sāi 哇塞 wā sāi (slang) wow! A colloquial exclamation meaning 'wow' or 'oh my god', used in informal situations.: (slang) wow!

Synonyms

2 items

• 啊 a 啊 a modal particle ending sentence, showing affirmation, approval, or consent Both are interjections expressing surprise or admiration, but 哇 (wā) tends to be more emphatic.: modal particle ending sentence, showing affirmation, approval, or consent
• 咦 yí 咦 yí expression of surprise Both can express surprise, but 咦 (yí) is often used for slight surprise or confusion, while 哇 (wā) conveys stronger amazement.: expression of surprise

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Don't confuse 哇 (wā) as an onomatopoeia for vomiting with the interjection; context determines the meaning, but the character is the same.

Formality

哇 (wā) is colloquial and often used in spoken Chinese; in formal writing, prefer 哎呀 (āiyā) for surprise or exclamation.

Example Sentences

2 shown

哇 ，你的中文说得真好！

Wow, your Chinese is really good!

哇 ！

Source: Tatoeba.org (ID 13274606)

Sentence data courtesy of Tatoeba.org. AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 哇

• 中爪哇 中爪哇 zhōng zhǎo wā: Central Java, province of Indonesia
• 卡哇伊 卡哇伊 kǎ wā yī: cute
• 哇哇 哇哇 wā wā: sound of crying
• 哇噻 哇噻 wā sāi: see 哇塞[wā sāi]
• 哇塞 哇塞 wā sāi: (slang) wow!
• 哇靠 哇靠 wā kào: (lit.) I cry!; Oh, bosh!; Shoot! (from Taiwanese 我哭, Tai-lo pr. [goá khàu])
• 好哇 好哇 hǎo wā: hurray!
• 松巴哇 松巴哇 sōng bā wā: Sumbawa, Indonesian island east of Java
• 松巴哇岛 松巴哇岛 sōng bā wā dǎo: Sumbawa, Indonesian island east of Java
• 爪哇 爪哇 zhǎo wā: Java (island of Indonesia)
• 爪哇八哥 爪哇八哥 zhǎo wā bā gē: (bird species of China) Javan myna (Acridotheres javanicus)
• 爪哇岛 爪哇岛 zhǎo wā dǎo: Java (island of Indonesia)
• 爪哇池鹭 爪哇池鹭 zhǎo wā chí lù: (bird species of China) Javan pond heron (Ardeola speciosa)
• 爪哇禾雀 爪哇禾雀 zhǎo wā hé què: (bird species of China) Java sparrow (Lonchura oryzivora)
• 西爪哇 西爪哇 xī zhǎo wā: West Java, province of Indonesia