ow
word
/ˈaʊ/
ow
/ˈəʊ/
oh
Definition
An exclamation you say when something hurts suddenly. It is a quick, natural sound people make in response to pain.
Usage & Nuances
Very informal and mostly spoken. People often use it alone ('Ow!') or before a sentence like 'Ow, that hurts.' Similar to 'ouch', but 'ouch' is often a little more common. It is used for physical pain more than emotional pain.
Spanish: ay - auPortuguese (BR): ai - uiPortuguese (PT): ai - auChinese (Simplified): 哎哟 - 哎呀（疼痛时）Chinese (Traditional): 哎喲 - 哎呀（疼痛時）Hindi: आह - ओह (दर्द में)Arabic: آخ - أوتشBengali: আহ্ - ওফ্Russian: ай - ойJapanese: いたっ - あっVietnamese: á - áiKorean: 아야 - 아이고Turkish: ah - ayUrdu: آہ - اوفIndonesian: aduh - aww
Example Sentences
Ow! I hit my hand on the table.
basic
Ow, my foot hurts.
basic
She said, "Ow! That is hot!"
basic
Ow, watch it — you stepped on my toe.
natural
Ow, that shot was not fun at all.
natural
I heard him say "ow" when he bumped his head.
natural