欸 meaning and stroke order
Sigh; an exclamatory sound
How to write 欸, stroke by stroke
11 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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- 11
Meaning of 欸
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- (indicating response)
- (sadly sighing)
- also pr. [ei4]
- hey (used to draw attention)
- eh; huh (used to express surprise)
- hmm (used to express disapproval)
How 欸 is built
Components of the character.
Radical: 欠 (to lack), shared by 28 characters on this site.
How to remember 欸
On the left is 矣 (yǐ), an old sentence-ending particle, and on the right is 欠 (qiàn), a picture of a person with an open mouth breathing out. Picture someone finishing a sentence and letting out a breath: "ai" or "ei".
欸 is an interjection, and its tone changes with the feeling: ēi to get attention, éi for surprise, ěi for disapproval, and èi or āi to answer or agree. In everyday speech it often sounds like a casual "yeah" or "hey". Example: 欸，你等一下。(Ēi, nǐ děng yíxià.) Hey, wait a moment.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 欸 with 唉 (āi), the more common character for a sad sigh. Use 唉 when you write a sigh of regret, and 欸 for "hey", "huh" or a casual reply. Also, do not write the left part as 矢 (shǐ). It is 矣, with 厶 on top.
Questions about 欸
How many strokes are in 欸?
欸 is written with 11 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 欸 mean?
欸 (āi) means sigh; an exclamatory sound.
How do you pronounce 欸?
欸 is pronounced āi, in the first tone (high and level).
What is the radical of 欸?
The radical of 欸 is 欠, which carries the idea of "to lack". Dictionaries list 欸 under this radical.
How do I know which tone to use for 欸?
The tone follows your intent. Use a rising éi for "huh?" in surprise, a dipping ěi for a doubtful "hmm", and a falling èi for "yeah, okay". The character stays the same, so in writing the context shows the meaning.
Is 欸 the same as 诶?
In casual modern writing, many people type 诶 for the same "ei" sounds, especially online. 欸 is the form listed in dictionaries, but you will see both used to mean "hey" or "huh".