eh

eh — exclamation

1. a sound you make when something unexpected or strange happens, or when you do no

1.感嘆詞B1
釋義

a sound you make when something unexpected or strange happens, or when you do not understand what is going on around you.

例句

Eh? Did you hear that crash from the kitchen?

one-word interjection showing sudden surprise

Nala looked at the empty parking lot and said, 'Eh? Where is everyone?'

同義詞
  • huh

    more common in American English; 'eh' is especially frequent in Canadian and British English

  • what

    more direct and can sound less surprised; 'what' is also used when you did not hear someone (sense 2)

用法筆記

Often said with a rising tone to show that you are puzzled. The longer you stretch the vowel, the more confused you sound.

2. a sound you make when you want someone to say the same thing again because you d

2.感嘆詞B1
釋義

a sound you make when you want someone to say the same thing again because you did not hear or understand it clearly.

例句

'Eh? Sorry, I didn't catch what you said,' Élise replied, turning down the music.

eh + sorry to politely ask for repetition

Eli leaned forward and went, 'Eh? Say that again — the train leaves at six?'

同義詞
  • pardon

    more formal; 'pardon (me)' is politer than 'eh?'

  • sorry

    sounds like an apology for not listening; more polite than bare 'eh?'

  • huh

    the American English equivalent of this sense

用法筆記

In British English, 'eh?' is a very common way to ask someone to repeat themselves. In American English, 'huh?' or 'what?' are more typical. To sound more polite, add 'sorry' or 'pardon' after 'eh?'.

常見錯誤

❌Eh you?' (adding extra words).
✅Eh?' (used alone as a one-word question).
💡'eh' stands on its own as a complete utterance; do not attach other words to it.

3. used at the end of a statement to check whether the listener agrees, understands

3.感嘆詞B2
釋義

used at the end of a statement to check whether the listener agrees, understands, or shares your opinion — similar to a tag question like 'isn't it?' or 'right?'.

例句

'Cold out there today, eh?' the bus driver said as Faisal climbed aboard.

statement + eh to confirm shared observation

Lakan smiled at the waiter and asked, 'Great meal, eh? We should come back.'

同義詞
  • right

    more neutral in register and understood in all English varieties

  • innit

    very informal British slang, equivalent to 'isn't it?' — narrower regional use than 'eh?'

  • yeah

    used similarly at the end of a statement in casual speech, e.g. 'Good film, yeah?'

文法句型

[statement] + eh?

用法筆記

This sense is famously associated with Canadian English, where 'eh?' functions as a conversational lubricant — it turns a statement into a shared observation. It carries no real question meaning; the speaker is not asking for information, but for connection. Learners should use it only in informal spoken settings.

常見錯誤

❌You like this song, eh?' (rising tone as a real question).
✅Nice song, eh?' (flat or slightly falling tone, expecting agreement).
💡This 'eh' is not asking for real information; it is assuming the listener agrees.