Definition

1. Interjection:
   • An expression of surprise, mild disbelief, or sudden realization: Used to react to an unexpected situation, a surprising piece of information, or to something that seems odd or contradictory. It often translates to "Well, well!", "Oh, really?", or "Huh?".
   • An expression of light reproach or rhetorical questioning: Used to gently chide someone or to question a statement or action in a way that implies it is foolish or incorrect.

Usage Examples

• Interjection:
  • Ơ hay! Tôi tưởng anh đã về rồi? (Well, well! I thought you had already gone home?)
  • Ơ hay! Sao cậu lại làm thế? (Huh? Why would you do that?)
  • "Tôi không biết gì cả." – "Ơ hay! Hôm qua cậu còn kể với tôi mà." ("I don't know anything." – "Oh, really? You were telling me about it just yesterday.")

Advanced Usage

• The phrase is often used at the beginning of a sentence to set a tone of surprise or gentle contradiction before posing a follow-up question or statement.
• It can be used rhetorically, not expecting an answer, but to emphasize the speaker's feeling that something is amiss or illogical.

Variants and Related Words

• Ô hay: A common variant with identical meaning and usage.
  • Ô hay! Lạ thật đấy. (Well, well! That's really strange.)

Synonyms

• Really?: Expressing surprise or doubt.
• Well, well: Expressing mild surprise or interest.
• Huh?: Expressing confusion or seeking confirmation.
• What?: Expressing surprise or disbelief.

Related Idioms

• While "ơ hay" itself is a standalone interjection, it frequently appears in rhetorical questions that function idiomatically to express disbelief or gentle criticism.
  • Ơ hay, thế là thế nào? (Well now, what's the meaning of this?)

1. như ô hay