Inklingo
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A small, wide-eyed child standing next to a massive, vibrant yellow sunflower that towers over them, looking up in awe and surprise.

caray

kah-RIGH (rhymes with 'eye')

interjectionA2
Wow?Expressing surprise or admiration,Goodness (me)?Mild expression of surprise or annoyance
Also:Darn?Expressing mild frustration or disappointment,Holy cow?Expressing strong astonishment (informal)

📝 In Action

¡Caray, qué coche tan rápido tienes!

A2

Wow, what a fast car you have!

¡Caray! Se me olvidó la cartera en casa.

A2

Darn it! I forgot my wallet at home.

Caray, no sabía que hablabas tres idiomas.

B1

Goodness, I didn't know you spoke three languages.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • vaya (Wow/Darn)
  • cáspita (Good heavens (more dated))
  • jolines (Darn (Spain))

Common Collocations

  • ¡Caray con... – Goodness gracious with...
  • ¡No, caray! – No way! / Absolutely not!

💡 Grammar Points

Always Unchanging

As an interjection, 'caray' is always used alone or at the start of a sentence. It never changes its form—it doesn't have a plural or a feminine version, and it doesn't need to agree with anything.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Register

Mistake: "Thinking 'caray' is a strong curse word."

Correction: 'Caray' is a great, safe choice. It allows you to express strong emotion (like frustration or surprise) without being rude or vulgar. It is much milder than its root word.

⭐ Usage Tips

Tone is Key

The specific emotion 'caray' conveys relies entirely on your tone. A high, excited tone means admiration ('Wow!'). A low, drawn-out tone means frustration ('Darn...').

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: caray

Question 1 of 1

If you drop your keys and say '¡Caray!', what are you most likely expressing?

📚 More Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'caray' appropriate to use around children or in formal settings?

Yes, 'caray' is considered a mild, safe, and polite exclamation. It is perfectly acceptable in nearly all social settings, unlike the harsher word it replaces.

Can 'caray' express positive emotion?

Absolutely. While often used for frustration, when said with an excited or admiring tone, it means 'Wow!' or 'Amazing!' (e.g., ¡Caray, qué bien te ves!)