huh background

huh

/hʌ/ /hə/

Illustration huh - Image 1

interjection

へえ, ふーん

(with falling pitch) used to express amusement or subtle surprise.

Examples :

""You got a promotion? Huh?" "

「昇進したって？へえ？」

language communication linguistics word exclamation attitude sound

Illustration huh - Image 1

Illustration huh - Image 2

interjection

え？, あれ？

Used to express doubt or confusion.

Examples :

"Huh? Where did they go?"

え？彼らはどこに行ったの？

language communication linguistics exclamation

Illustration huh - Image 1

Illustration huh - Image 2

interjection

え？

(with rising pitch) Used to reinforce a question.

Examples :

"Where were you last night? Huh?"

昨夜はどこにいたの？え？

language communication phonetics

Illustration huh - Image 1

interjection

はあ？, なるほど！

(with falling pitch) Used either to belittle the issuer of a statement/question, or sarcastically to indicate utter agreement, and that the statement being responded to is an extreme understatement. The intonation is changed to distinguish between the two meanings - implied dullness for belittlement, and feigned surprise for utter agreement.

Examples :

"(agreement) A: "Murder is bad." B: "Huh!""

A:「殺人は悪い」B:「なるほど！」

language communication word statement attitude linguistics

Illustration huh - Image 1

Illustration huh - Image 2

interjection

え？, 何？

(with rising pitch) Used to indicate that one did not hear what was said.

Examples :

"Huh? Could you speak up?"

え？もっと大きく話してもらえますか？

language communication phonetics word sound exclamation

Illustration huh - Image 1

interjection

え?

(with falling pitch) Used to create a tag question.

Examples :

""You're going to the park today, huh?" "

今日公園に行くんだよね、え？

grammar linguistics phonetics language