Definition

1. Interjection:
   • An exclamation expressing surprise, astonishment, or mild disbelief: "ủa" is a colloquial particle used to react to something unexpected, strange, or confusing. It conveys a sense of "Huh?", "What?", or "Well!".
   • An exclamation used to question or seek clarification: It can also be used to prompt repetition or further explanation, similar to "Sorry?" or "Come again?".

Usage Examples

• Interjection:
  • Ủa, anh đến từ bao giờ vậy? (Huh? When did you get here?)
  • Ủa, cái gì cơ? Tôi không nghe rõ. (What? Say that again? I didn't hear clearly.)
  • Ủa, hôm qua tôi để chìa khóa ở đây mà. (Well! I left the keys right here yesterday.)

Advanced Usage

• "Ủa, sao lại thế?": An expression combining surprise with a request for an explanation.

  • Ủa, sao lại thế? Hẹn 8 giờ mà bây giờ đã 8 rưỡi rồi. (What's going on? We agreed on 8 o'clock, but it's already 8:30.)

• "Ủa, vậy hả?": Expresses surprise upon receiving new or contradictory information.

  • A: Anh ấy nghỉ việc rồi. B: Ủa, vậy hả? Hôm qua còn gặp. (A: He quit his job. B: Really? I just saw him yesterday.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ủa ơi: A more emphatic or drawn-out version of "ủa", often expressing greater surprise or shock.

  • Ủa ơi, trời ơi! (Oh my goodness!)

• Hả: Another interjection for questioning or expressing surprise, sometimes used interchangeably or combined with "ủa".

  • Ủa hả? (Is that so? / Really?)

Synonyms

• Gì cơ?: What? (Used to ask for repetition).
• Thật sao?: Really? (Used to express disbelief).
• Hả?: Huh? (A common questioning particle).

Related Phrases

• "Ủa, ai đây?": Used when surprised by someone's unexpected presence or identity.

  • Ủa, ai đây? Tôi không nhận ra anh với bộ râu mới. (Who's this? I didn't recognize you with the new beard.)

• "Ủa, đâu rồi?": Expresses surprise and confusion when something is missing.

  • Ủa, đâu rồi? Tôi vừa để điện thoại trên bàn mà. (Where is it? I just put my phone on the table.)

Related Idioms

• "Mặt ủa ỉa": (Slang, idiomatic) A facial expression showing extreme displeasure, annoyance, or disgust. Note: This is a compound phrase and a separate idiom from the interjection "ủa".
  • Nghe tin đó, anh ấy làm mặt ủa ỉa. (Upon hearing that news, he made a disgusted face.)

excl

1. well! Ooh!