เฮ้อ
ugh
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 ugh、sigh
- 2 phew
An interjection that imitates an exhaled sigh, usually expressing weariness or frustration and sometimes relief.
ugh、sigh
Expresses weariness, frustration, disappointment, or resignation through a sigh.
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เฮ้อ เหนื่อยจัง hə́ə nʉ̀ay caŋ Ugh, I'm so tired. เฮ้อ เหนื่อยจัง details
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เฮ้อ อีกแล้วเหรอ hə́ə ìik lɛ́ɛw rə̌ə Ugh, again? เฮ้อ อีกแล้วเหรอ details
phew
Expresses relief when tension, worry, or a difficult task has finally ended.
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เฮ้อ โล่งอกไปที hə́ə lôoŋ òk pay thii Phew, what a relief. เฮ้อ โล่งอกไปที details
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เฮ้อ เสร็จสักที hə́ə sèt sàk thii Phew, it's finally done. เฮ้อ เสร็จสักที details
Learning notes
Explanation
เฮ้อ is an interjection that represents the sound of breathing out in a sigh. It directly conveys the speaker's reaction rather than describing the act of sighing. It most often signals tiredness, frustration, disappointment, or resignation. It can also mean “phew” when worry or tension has just passed. The situation and the words that follow make the intended emotion clear. It is common in conversation, self-talk, chats, and social media. Spellings such as เฮ้อ... or เฮ้อออ may be used informally to suggest a longer or deeper sigh.
Usage
It is commonly used after tiring work or study, when a recurring problem causes frustration, or when the speaker feels resigned to an unpleasant situation. It can also be used when a difficult task ends or a worry is resolved.
Caution
This is an informal emotional reaction and is generally unsuitable for formal writing or speech. Using it immediately after someone speaks can sound as though you are annoyed with them. Do not confuse it with เฮ้, which is used to get someone's attention. Without a clear context, เฮ้อ is more likely to be understood as a weary or frustrated sigh than as relief.
Differences from similar words
1 ugh synonyms
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โอ๊ย is a more immediate cry prompted by pain, surprise, or strong annoyance. เฮ้อ is a sigh-like reaction associated with weariness, frustration, or resignation.