Spanish exclamations often begin with ¡ and end with ! to show emphasis. They can be single words, set phrases, or complete sentences. Here are some common types of exclamations and examples:
Common One-Word Exclamations
These are frequently used to express a variety of feelings:
| Spanish Word |
|---|
| ¡Ay! |
| English Translation |
| Usage Notes |
| Pain or surprise |
Set Phrases
These expressions are used to convey specific emotions:
| Spanish Phrase |
|---|
| ¡Qué pena! |
| English Translation |
| Usage Notes |
| Sadness or sympathy |
Exclamatory Sentences
These sentences often start with qué (what) or cómo (how):
| Spanish Example |
|---|
| ¡Qué bonito es el lugar! |
| English Translation |
| Usage Notes |
| Admiration |
Using Accent Marks
In exclamations, qué, cómo, cuánto, quién, cuál, and dónde carry accent marks to indicate their use as exclamatory (or interrogative) words:
| Spanish Word |
|---|
| qué |
| English Translation |
| Usage Notes |
| Exclamatory or interrogative |
Examples of Exclamations
Exclamations add color and emotion to Spanish conversations, making them more expressive and lively.
| Spanish Example |
|---|
| ¡Ay, qué dolor! |
| English Translation |
| Usage Notes |
| Expressing pain |
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Last updated: Thu Jul 17, 2025