eh
“eh” means “right?” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
right?
Also: huh?, hey!
📝 In Action
Hace un día bonito, ¿eh?
A1It's a beautiful day, right?
¡Eh, cuidado con el escalón!
A1Hey, watch out for the step!
No lo volverás a hacer, ¿eh?
A2You won't do that again, will you?
what?
Also: huh?, pardon?
📝 In Action
—¿Quieres venir? —¿Eh? No te oí.
A1—Do you want to come? —Huh? I didn't hear you.
—Pásame el cacharro ese. —¿Eh? ¿Qué es un cacharro?
A2—Pass me that thingy. —What? What's a 'thingy'?
uhm
Also: er, well...
📝 In Action
No sé qué película ver... eh... quizás la de comedia.
A2I don't know what movie to watch... uhm... maybe the comedy.
Te llamo porque, eh, necesito un favor.
B1I'm calling you because, er, I need a favor.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: eh
Question 1 of 1
Your friend says, '¡Qué película tan buena, eh!'. What are they doing?
📚 More Resources
📚 Etymology▼
The word 'eh' is considered onomatopoeic. This means it's not derived from older words but is instead a natural sound humans make to express questioning, get attention, or pause.
First recorded: Ancient
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it rude to say '¿eh?' if I don't understand someone?
It's not considered rude, but it is very informal. Think of it like saying 'Huh?' in English. With friends, it's perfectly fine. In a more formal situation, like in a store or talking to a professor, it's more polite to use '¿Cómo?' or '¿Perdón?'.
What's the difference between 'eh', 'ah', and 'oh' in Spanish?
'Eh' is for questioning, getting attention, or pausing ('Huh?', 'Hey!', 'Uhm'). 'Ah' shows realization or understanding ('Ah, now I get it!'). 'Oh' expresses surprise ('Oh, really?').