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啊

ā
HSK 2.0 Level 2 HSK 3.0 Level 4 Interjection Very common

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

啊
a Particle modal particle ending sentence, showing affirmation, approval, or consent
啊
ā Interjection interjection of surprise; Ah!
啊
á interjection expressing doubt or requiring answer; Eh?
啊
à interjection or grunt of agreement; uhm
啊
ǎ interjection of surprise or doubt; Eh?

Definitions

  1. 1. interjection of surprise
  2. 2. Ah!
  3. 3. Oh!

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Character focus

Stroke order

10 strokes

Usage notes

Collocations

Often reduplicated as 啊啊 (ā ā) to emphasize surprise in informal contexts.

Common mistakes

啊 (ā) expresses surprise, not confusion. Do not confuse with 哦 (ó) for sudden realization or 唉 (āi) for disappointment.

Grammar

Guides that feature 啊

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1 guide
HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 4+ 6 min
啊 and 嗯 as Interjections for “Oh!” and “Mm-hm”

At the start of a sentence, 啊 shows surprise or asks “huh?”, and 嗯 means “mm-hm, yes” or asks “hm?” depending on its tone.

Reading: ā Open guide

Example Sentences

2 shown
啊 ，你来了！
Ah, you came!
啊 啊 ！
Source: Tatoeba.org (ID 13275099)

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

Words Containing 啊

啊呀
ā yā

interjection of surprise

啊哟
ā yo

interjection of surprise or pain