uy
“uy” means “oops” in Spanish (reacting to a small mistake).
oops, wow
Also: ouch, uh-oh, yikes
📝 In Action
¡Uy! Perdón, se me cayó el vaso.
A1Oops! Sorry, I dropped the glass.
¡Uy! Qué susto me diste al entrar.
A1Whoa! You gave me a scare when you walked in.
¡Uy! Ese carro es muy rápido.
A2Wow! That car is very fast.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: uy
Question 1 of 3
If you accidentally spill some water on the table, what would you most likely say?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
This word is an onomatopoeia, which means it was created to mimic the natural sound humans make when they are startled or make a mistake.
First recorded: 16th century
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'uy' rude to say?
Not at all! It is a very natural and polite way to acknowledge a small mistake or show that you are impressed by something.
What is the difference between 'uy' and 'ay'?
Generally, 'ay' is used for physical pain or deep sadness (like 'ouch' or 'oh no'), while 'uy' is for surprise, small mistakes, or being impressed (like 'wow' or 'oops').
Do people in all Spanish-speaking countries use it?
Yes, 'uy' is understood and used everywhere from Spain to Argentina.