(a) - ah, oh (exclamatory particle) in Mandarin
aTraditional: 啊
Translation
ah, oh (exclamatory particle)
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Word origin
The exclamatory particle 啊 is a phono-semantic compound: the mouth radical 口 marks it as a spoken sound, and 阿 (ā) supplies the pronunciation. The mouth radical is the usual signal that a character writes an interjection or sentence particle.
- Origin
- phono-semantic compound
- Root
- 口 (mouth radical) + 阿 (ā, phonetic)
Stroke order
啊
Examples
，！
Oh, you came too!
！
The food you made is really delicious!
？
Where are you going?
。
The weather is so nice.
？
Why hasn't he arrived yet?
啊 (a) is a versatile modal particle and exclamatory word that appears both sentence-initially (as an exclamation of surprise or realisation) and sentence-finally (to soften a statement, add emphasis, or express emotion). Its actual pronunciation varies depending on the final sound of the preceding syllable - it can become ya, wa, na, nga, or ra in connected speech, though it is written as 啊 in all cases.
As a sentence-final particle, 啊 makes assertions sound less abrupt and more friendly compared to bare statements. It is especially common in casual spoken Mandarin and in expressions of admiration, surprise, or gentle commands.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(13)一人120
1 min read · Core 1000
谁的椅子？
1 min read · Core 1000
两碗米饭
2 min read · Core 1000
在饭馆
2 min read · Core 5000
打电话
3 min read · Core 1000
生日的惊喜
3 min read · Core 1000
今天我是校长
3 min read · Core 5000
今年回谁家？
3 min read · Core 1000
山不见了
5 min read · Core 5000
后面的字
5 min read · Core 5000
今天不开门
5 min read · Core 5000
楼上的声音
5 min read · Core 5000
那件事
5 min read · Core 5000
Grammar articles
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Mandarin · Free printables
啊: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Mandarin word "啊" (ah, oh (exclamatory particle)): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
This word is taught in chapter 2, lesson 3: 啊, 去, 很 and 11 more words.