How to Express Emotions in Chinese: 20 Common Interjections in Mandarin
At Chinese Learning Academy, students not only learn how to pronounce interjections correctly but also how to use them in real-life contexts. Mastering these expressions is key to sounding like a native speaker and understanding cultural subtleties.
Common Chinese Interjections
Whether you want to show surprise, excitement, or sadness, there is always a suitable interjection in Mandarin. Below is a table of 20 popular interjections, including their pinyin, English meaning, and usage notes.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English | Usage / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 哎呀 | āiyā | Oh no! / Ah! | Surprise or minor complaint |
| 哇 | wā | Wow! | Amazement or admiration |
| 啊 | a | Ah! | Various emotions: surprise, question, exclamation |
| 嘿 | hēi | Hey! | Casual greeting |
| 哼 | hēng | Hmph! | Displeasure or mild contempt |
| 呜呜 | wūwū | Boo hoo | Crying, sadness |
| 呀 | ya | Ah! | Surprise or emphasis |
| 哟 | yō | Oh! / Wow! | Surprise or to get attention |
| 呵呵 | hēhē | Hehe | Light laughter, sarcasm, or casual humor |
| 咦 | yí | Huh? | Surprise or doubt |
| 哈 | hā | Ha! | Laughter or fun |
| 唉 | āi | Sigh | Frustration or disappointment |
| 哇塞 | wā sài | Wow! | Amazement, casual slang |
| 咳 | kē | Ahem | Clearing throat, getting attention |
| 呐 | nà | Hey! / Look! | Draw attention or emphasis |
| 哎 | āi | Alas! | Regret or mild disappointment |
| 嘿嘿 | hēihēi | Hehe | Sneaky or playful laugh |
| 哇哇 | wāwā | Waa | Crying or strong surprise |
| 咚 | dōng | Bang | Sound effect, e.g., knocking |
| 噢 | ò | Oh! | Realization or surprise |
How to Pronounce Chinese Interjections
Mandarin is a tonal language—tones change meaning! Here are some tips for pronouncing common interjections:
- 哎呀 (āiyā) → “ah-ya”
- 哇 (wā) → “wah”
- 啊 (a) → “ah”
- 嘿 (hēi) → “hey”
- 呵呵 (hēhē) → “heh-heh”
Pronouncing tones correctly is essential for being understood and sounding natural.
Cultural Insights
- Express emotion immediately: A single word like “哎呀” can show surprise instantly.
- Politeness and humor: Some interjections like “呵呵” are used playfully or sarcastically depending on context.
- Storytelling and conversation: Interjections make speech lively, especially in narratives or anecdotes.
Practical Tips for Learning Interjections
- Listen and imitate: Watch Chinese movies, dramas, or variety shows to hear how native speakers use interjections.
- Use context: Pair interjections with facial expressions or body language for more natural communication.
- Practice daily: Incorporate interjections into your daily speaking to sound more native.
Why Interjections Matter
- Sound natural and expressive in spoken Chinese.
- Understand social and emotional nuances in conversations.
- Make your speech more engaging and fun.
- Build cultural understanding alongside language skills.
Fun & Modern Interjections
- 哈哈 (hāhā) → laughter, like “LOL”
- 嘿嘿 (hēihēi) → mischievous laugh
- 哇塞 (wā sài) → casual amazed expression
These expressions are widely used in texting, chat apps, and casual conversation.
Key Takeaways
- 20 common interjections for every situation.
- Tones are important—don’t ignore them!
- Context, emotion, and body language matter as much as the word itself.
- Practice regularly to master natural, expressive Chinese.
- Start using interjections today—whether it’s 哎呀, 哇, or 嘿—your Mandarin will become more lively, expressive, and culturally authentic.