Usage Note
Aray! is the standard Filipino exclamation of sudden pain, used instinctively when someone experiences a sharp or unexpected sensation. Reduplication as Aray-aray! intensifies the expression, and it is universally understood across all Filipino languages and ages.
Examples
" Aray! Masakit iyan. "
Natural Translation
Ouch! That hurts.
Literal Translation
Ouch! Painful that.
" Aray! Natapak ako ng pako. "
Natural Translation
Ouch! I stepped on a nail.
Literal Translation
Ouch! Stepped-on I of nail.
" Aray! Nabangga ko ang ulo ko sa pinto kasi madilim sa loob ng kwarto. "
Natural Translation
Ouch! I bumped my head on the door because it was dark inside the room.
Literal Translation
Ouch! Bumped by-me the head my on door because dark in inside of room.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
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