Definition

1. Interjection:
   • An exclamation expressing sudden emotion: "Ôi chao" is an interjection used to express a range of sudden, strong feelings such as surprise, admiration, pity, regret, or dismay. It is similar to "Oh!", "Oh dear!", "Oh my!", "Alas!", or "Wow!" in English, depending on the context and tone.

Usage Examples

• Interjection:
  • Ôi chao, trời sắp mưa rồi! (Oh dear, it's about to rain!)
  • Ôi chao, cô ấy hát hay quá! (Wow, she sings so beautifully!)
  • Ôi chao, tôi quên mất chìa khóa ở nhà. (Oh no, I forgot my keys at home.)

Advanced Usage

• "Ôi chao ôi!": An intensified form of "ôi chao," expressing a stronger degree of emotion.

  • Ôi chao ôi, cái áo này đắt quá! (Oh my goodness, this shirt is too expensive!)

• "Ôi chao là chao!": Another emphatic variant, often used for dramatic effect, typically expressing surprise or admiration.

  • Ôi chao là chao, ngôi nhà mới của cậu to thật! (Oh my word, your new house is so big!)

Variants and Related Words

• Ôi (interj): A more general exclamation of emotion, similar to "Oh." It is often the root component in many Vietnamese exclamations.

  • Ôi, đau quá! (Oh, that hurts!)

• Chao ôi (interj): A variant with the same meaning and usage as "ôi chao." The order is reversed.

  • Chao ôi, mệt quá đi! (Oh my, I'm so tired!)

Synonyms

• Trời ơi (interj): Literally "Oh heaven/God," a very common exclamation for surprise, shock, or complaint.
• Úi chà (interj): An exclamation often expressing pleasant surprise or admiration.
• Ái chà (interj): An exclamation similar to "Well, well..." or "My my...," often expressing impressed surprise.

Related Phrases

• Ôi chao, tội nghiệp!: An expression of pity or sympathy, meaning "Oh dear, how pitiful/poor thing!"

  • Ôi chao, tội nghiệp con chó bị lạc. (Oh dear, poor lost dog.)

• Ôi chao, thật là...: A phrase used to lead into a strong statement of opinion, meaning "Oh my, it's really..."

  • Ôi chao, thật là một ngày tồi tệ. (Oh my, what a terrible day.)

Related Idioms

(Note: "Ôi chao" itself is an interjection and not typically part of fixed idioms. However, it frequently appears at the beginning of exclamatory sentences to convey the speaker's immediate emotional reaction.)

1. Alas!