あ

あ
interjection
ah, oh
1. ah, oh (realization)
Exclamation expressing sudden realization, recognition, or remembering something.
あ、忘(わす)れてた！
Oh, I forgot!
Sudden realization
あ、田中(たなか)さん！
Oh, Mr. Tanaka!
Recognizing someone
あ、そうだ。
Oh, that's right.
Remembering something
あ、いいですよ。
Oh, that's fine.
あ、ごめんなさい。
Oh, I'm sorry.
あ、傘(かさ)を忘(わす)れた。取(と)りに戻(もど)らなきゃ。
Oh, I forgot my umbrella. I have to go back and get it.
あ、鍵(かぎ)をかけ忘(わす)れていたことに今(いま)気(き)づいた。
Oh, I just realized I forgot to lock the door.
2. ah, oh (surprise)
Exclamation expressing mild surprise or noticing something.
あ、電車(でんしゃ)が来(き)た。
Oh, the train is coming.
あ、雨(あめ)が降(ふ)ってきた。
Oh, it's started raining.
あ、虹(にじ)が出(で)てる！
Oh, there's a rainbow!
あ、猫(ねこ)がいる！
Oh, there's a cat!
あ、外(そと)に雪(ゆき)が降(ふ)っている。見(み)に行(い)こう。
Oh, it's snowing outside. Let's go see.

あ is a very common interjection with various uses depending on intonation and context.

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • あ、そうですか: Oh, is that so?
  • あ、いいですよ: Oh, that's fine
  • あ、ごめんなさい: Oh, sorry
  • あ、そうだ: Oh, that's right (remembering)

RELATED INTERJECTIONS:

  • ああ: longer form, can express agreement or disappointment
  • あっ: sharper, more surprised
  • あれ: expressing confusion or surprise

[Register: Casual]

basic
Added 2026.1.9 21:27 · Revised 2026.3.13 14:00
01500/01572_a