oh
/o/
📝 In Action
¡Oh, qué sorpresa verte aquí!
A1Oh, what a surprise to see you here!
Oh, ahora entiendo por qué no funcionaba.
A2Oh, now I understand why it wasn't working.
Oh, lo siento mucho por tu pérdida.
B1Oh, I'm so sorry for your loss.
Oh... pensaba que vendrías a la fiesta.
A2Oh... I thought you were coming to the party.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Between Exclamation Marks
When you write 'oh' to show strong emotion, it's almost always surrounded by opening and closing exclamation marks: ¡Oh!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'oh' with 'o'
Mistake: "Quiero té oh café."
Correction: Quiero té o café. The word 'o' without an 'h' means 'or'. The word 'oh' with an 'h' is the sound of surprise.
⭐ Usage Tips
Tone is Everything
The meaning of 'oh' completely changes with your tone of voice. A happy, high-pitched '¡Oh!' is for a gift. A low, slow 'Oh...' is for bad news. Practice saying it in different ways!
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: oh
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'oh' to express a sudden realization?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between '¡oh!' and '¡ah!' in Spanish?
Yes, they're very similar! '¡Oh!' is often for a new surprise or realization ('Oh, you're here!'). '¡Ah!' is more for understanding, recognition, or remembering something you already knew ('Ah, now I remember!'). The difference is small, and sometimes you can use either one.
Do I always need the exclamation points (¡...!) around 'oh'?
In writing, yes, it's the correct way to show it's a strong, sudden feeling. When you see it written as 'Oh,...' with a comma or periods, it usually shows a slower, less energetic feeling, like disappointment or sadness.