Single Vowel Exclamations

Overview
 Meaning
Single vowel exclamations are short vowel
sounds that we let out in certain situations
to express a unique feeling or emotion.
 /aː/

ah

“ah, I understand”
 /aːː/

ahh

“ahh, he’s so cute”

 / aʊ /

ow

“oww, that hurts!”

 /əʊ/

oh

“oh, I’m very surprised”

 /3ː/

er

“er, what’s the answer?”

 /3ːː/

urgh

“urgh, that’s disgusting”

 /uː/

ooh

“ooh, how exciting”

 / ɔɪ /

oi

“oi, come here”

Reasons for single vowel exclamations

Can you think of why we have single vowel

exclamations in English?
 From your own language?

Can you come up with some other examples of

single vowel exclamations from your own
language?