aha

See also: Appendix:Variations of "aha"

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English a ha, aha, natural expression. Equivalent to ah + ha!.

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ɑːhɑː/
  • (General American) enPR: ä-häʹ, IPA(key): [ɑˈhɑ], [əˈhɑ]
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɑː

Interjection

aha

  1. An exclamation of understanding, realization, invention, or recognition.
    Aha! That will work.
  2. An exclamation of surprise, exaltation, or contempt.
    Aha! Now I've got you!

Derived terms

Translations

See also

Anagrams

Czech

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): [ˈaɦa]

Interjection

aha

  1. aha, I see (expresion of understanding, realization, invention or recognition)

Noun

aha n (indeclinable)

  1. (colloquial, obsolete) toilet
    Synonyms: záchod, toaleta

Further reading

Esperanto

Pronunciation

  • Audio:(file)
  • IPA(key): /ˈaha/
  • Rhymes: -aha
  • Hyphenation: a‧ha

Interjection

aha

  1. aha
    Synonym: oho

Ewe

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.) Compare Yoruba ahá (“traditional calabash used to drink palm wine”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /à.hà/, [à.ʁà ~ à.ʕà ~ à.ɦà]
  • Audio:(file)

Noun

àhà (definite singular àhà lá or àhàà, plural àhàwó, definite plural àhààwó)

  1. alcoholic beverage, liquor
  2. (specifically) palm wine
    Synonym: deha
  3. (by extension) any non-alcoholic drink or beverage

Derived terms

  • ahablutsi (“traditional libation made of palm wine mixed with water”)
  • ahablutsi (“wooden spoon for stirring corn beer”)
  • ahade, ahande (“earliest, sweetest stage of palm wine”)
  • ahadodo (“bartending”)
  • ahadoɣi (“cooked corn beer fermented for three days”)
  • ahadola (“bartender”)
  • ahadonu (“measuring container”)
  • ahaɖaƒe (“brewery”)
  • ahaɖaka (“12-bottle case”)
  • ahaɖeɖetoƒo, ahaɖoɖotoƒo (“end of a 4-6-day-traditional ceremony characterised by drinking”)
  • ahadza (“tassel of corn plant”)
  • ahadzadzra (“bartending”)
  • ahadzafi (“wicker-covered bottle”)
  • ahadzegoe (“traditional calabash used to drink palm wine”)
  • ahadzodzoe (“redbelly tilapia”)
  • ahadzoglã (“fresh palm wine fermented for 6-8 days”) (dialectal)
  • ahadzrala (“bartender”)
  • ahafiafia (“toast, drinking to”)
  • ahaƒa (“distillation yeast”)
  • ahagbenua (title of Sodza, Ewe goddess of lightning, rain and fertility, literally “provider of palm wine”)
  • ahaketre, ahakatre (“group of 12 liquor bottles”)
  • ahakua, ahakula (“server (of alcohol)”)
  • ahakuku (“intoxication”)
  • ahakuvi (“server (of alcohol)”)
  • ahakpahɛ (“knife used for palm wine tapping”)
  • ahakpakpa (“palm wine tapping”)
  • ahakpo (“distillation yeast”)
  • ahaleame (“illness from excessive drinking”)
  • ahali (“flaked maize”)
  • ahamãta (“tobacco”) (dialectal)
  • ahamatudada (“end of a 4-6-day-traditional ceremony characterised by drinking”)
  • ahamãtuitui (“canna”)
  • ahame (“traditional medicinal herb”)
  • ahamuame (“drinking (of alcohol)”)
  • ahamũla, ahamũnɔ (“bar”)
  • ahamumu (“alcoholism”)
  • ahanakutsi (“bar”)
  • ahanoƒe (“bar”)
  • ahanoklamɛ̃tɔ (“roisterer”)
  • ahanokoe (“Adam's apple”)
  • ahanola (“drunkard”)
  • ahanomunɔ (“drunkenness”)
  • ahanono (“traditional children's game using stones that resemble drinking calabashes”)
  • ahanoŋkɔ (“drunkard”) (colloquial)
  • ahasesẽ, ahasese (“alcoholic drink”)
  • ahasusɔe, ahasɔsɔe (“fruit fly”)
  • ahata (“sommelier”)
  • ahatigo (“barrel (for storing alcohol)”)
  • ahato (“drinking party”)
  • ahatsitsi (“vinegar”)
  • ahatsunola (“alcoholic (person)”)
  • ahavivi (“non alcoholic drink”)
  • ahaʋunu (“corkscrew, bottle opener”)
  • ahaxɔedzi (“forest clearing where palm wine is sold”)
  • ahayɔyɔ (“distillation yeast”)

References

  • Westermann, Dietrich Verfasser (1905) “aha”, in Wörterbuch der Ewe-Sprache [Dictionary of the Ewe language]‎[1] (in German), Berlin: Dietrich Reimer, section I, pages 210-8
  • Dzablu-Kumah, Simon Wellington (2015) Ulrike Claudi, Johannes Ayao Ossey, editors, Basic Ewe for Foreign Students‎[2], 2nd edition, Cologne: Universität zu Köln Institut für Afrikanistik, page 157
  • Jim-Fugar, Dr. M.K.N., Jim-Fugar, Nicholine (2017) “aha”, in Nuseline's Ewe-English Dictionary, 1st edition, Togo: Independently published, →ISBN, page 16

Finnish

Etymology

Like ah (to which it is somehow related), tracing an exact origin is impossible. Probably ultimately a natural expression.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈɑhɑ(ˣ)/, [ˈɑ̝ɦɑ̝(ʔ)]
  • Rhymes: -ɑhɑ
  • Syllabification(key): a‧ha
  • Hyphenation(key): aha

Interjection

aha

  1. uh-huh (indicates that the speaker agrees or is simply still listening)

Usage notes

Depending on the context and intonation (especially with rising intonation), the interjection may instead be interpreted as dismissing or disagreeing with an opinion.

See also

Anagrams

German

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ʔaˈha/
  • Audio:(file)
  • Rhymes: -aː

Interjection

aha

  1. aha

Further reading

  • “aha” in Duden online
  • “aha” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache

Gothic

Romanization

aha

  1. romanization of 𐌰𐌷𐌰

Hadza

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ʔaɦa/

Noun

aha m (masc. plural ahabii, fem. ahako, fem. plural ahabee)

  1. tooth (fem. = molar, fem. pl. = adult teeth, masc. pl. = baby teeth)
  2. red velvet mite (Trombidiid)

Usage notes

The form after a determiner is aha.

Hawaiian

Etymology

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *afa. Cognates include Maori aha and Rapa Nui aha.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈa.ha/, [ˈɐ.hə]
  • Hyphenation: a‧ha

Pronoun

aha

  1. what?
    He aha kēlā? ― What is that?

References

  • Pukui, Mary Kawena, Elbert, Samuel H. (1986) “aha”, in Hawaiian Dictionary, Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press

Hungarian

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): [ˈɒhɒ] or [ɒˈhɒ] (only as an exclamation)
  • Rhymes: -hɒ

Interjection

aha

  1. (colloquial) aha (an exclamation of sudden understanding, realization, or recognition)
    Aha, itt a hiba! ― Aha, here’s the problem!
  2. (colloquial) uh-huh (used informally in place of a “yes”)

Further reading

  • (exclamation of sudden understanding, realization, or recognition): aha in Géza Bárczi, László Országh, et al., editors, A magyar nyelv értelmező szótára [The Explanatory Dictionary of the Hungarian Language] (ÉrtSz.), Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó, 1959–1962. Fifth ed., 1992: →ISBN.
  • (used informally in place of a “yes”): aha in Géza Bárczi, László Országh, et al., editors, A magyar nyelv értelmező szótára [The Explanatory Dictionary of the Hungarian Language] (ÉrtSz.), Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó, 1959–1962. Fifth ed., 1992: →ISBN.
  • aha in Nóra Ittzés, editor, A magyar nyelv nagyszótára [A Comprehensive Dictionary of the Hungarian Language] (Nszt.), Budapest: Akadémiai Kiadó, 2006–2031 (work in progress; published a–ez as of 2024).

Kangean

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

  • Hyphenation: a‧ha

Noun

aha

  1. human being

Maori

Etymology

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *afa, from Proto-Oceanic *apa, from Proto-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian *apa, from Proto-Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian *apa, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *apa.

Pronoun

aha

  1. what (interrogative pronoun)

References

  • “aha” in John C. Moorfield, Te Aka: Maori–English, English–Maori Dictionary and Index, 3rd edition, Longman/Pearson Education New Zealand, 2011, →ISBN.

Old Polish

Etymology

Natural expression. First attested in the second half of the 15th century.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): (10th–15th CE) /a(ː)xa(ː)/
  • IPA(key): (15th CE) /axa/, /ɒxɒ/

Interjection

aha

  1. (hapax legomenon, attested in Greater Poland) aha (showing surprise)
    • 1916 [second half of the 15th century], Stanisław Słoński, editor, Psałterz puławski‎[3], Greater Poland, pages 69, 4:
      Odwroczcze szye wszystczy rychlo zapalayøcz szya, gysz my mowyø: aha, aha (qui dicunt mihi: Euge, euge)!
      [Odwroćcie sie wszystcy rychło zapalając się, jiż mi mowią: aha, aha (qui dicunt mihi: Euge, euge)!]

Descendants

  • Polish: aha
  • Silesian: aha

References

  • Sławski, Franciszek (1958-1965) “aha”, in Jan Safarewicz, Andrzej Siudut, editors, Słownik etymologiczny języka polskiego [Etymological dictionary of the Polish language] (in Polish), Kraków: Towarzystwo Miłośników Języka Polskiego
  • B. Sieradzka-Baziur, Ewa Deptuchowa, Joanna Duska, Mariusz Frodyma, Beata Hejmo, Dorota Janeczko, Katarzyna Jasińska, Krystyna Kajtoch, Joanna Kozioł, Marian Kucała, Dorota Mika, Gabriela Niemiec, Urszula Poprawska, Elżbieta Supranowicz, Ludwika Szelachowska-Winiarzowa, Zofia Wanicowa, Piotr Szpor, Bartłomiej Borek, editors (2011–2015), “aha”, in Słownik pojęciowy języka staropolskiego [Conceptual Dictionary of Old Polish] (in Polish), Kraków: IJP PAN, →ISBN

Old Saxon

Etymology

From Proto-West Germanic *ahu, from Proto-Germanic *ahwō (“waters, river”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ekʷeh₂ (“water”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈɑha/

Noun

aha f

  1. water
  2. running water, river, stream

Declension

aha (feminine a-stem)
singular plural
nominative aha aha
accusative aha aha
genitive ahō ahanō
dative ahu ahum
instrumental — —

Pennsylvania German

Alternative forms

  • a ha (used by The Comprehensive Pennsylvania German Dictionary)

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /aˈha/

Etymology

From German aha.

Exclamation

aha

  1. , there, gotcha

For quotations using this term, see Citations:aha.

References

  • Beam, C. R., Brown, J. R., & Trout, J. L. (2004). The Comprehensive Pennsylvania German Dictionary.
  • Pennsylvania Dutch Dictionary. (n.d.). https://padutchdictionary.com/

Polish

Alternative forms

Etymology

Inherited from Old Polish aha.

Pronunciation

 
  • IPA(key): /aˈxa/
  • Audio 1:(file)
  • Audio 2:(file)
  • Rhymes: -a
  • Syllabification: a‧ha

Interjection

aha

  1. aha! (showing confirmation) [from 1546][1]
  2. aha! (showing understanding) [second half of the 15th century][2]
  3. aha! (showing that the speaker suddenly remembered something)
  4. (Middle Polish) ah! (showing pain) [17 c.][3]

References

  1. ^ Maria Renata Mayenowa, Stanisław Rospond, Witold Taszycki, Stefan Hrabec, Władysław Kuraszkiewicz (2010-2023) “aha”, in Słownik Polszczyzny XVI Wieku [A Dictionary of 16th Century Polish]
  2. ^ S. Urbańczyk, editor (1953–2002), “aha”, in Słownik staropolski (in Polish), volumes 1–11, Wrocław, Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk, Łódź: Polish Academy of Sciences
  3. ^ Krystyna Siekierska (04.08.2009) “AHA”, in Elektroniczny Słownik Języka Polskiego XVII i XVIII Wieku [Electronic Dictionary of the Polish Language of the XVII and XVIII Century]

Further reading

  • aha in Wielki słownik języka polskiego, Instytut Języka Polskiego PAN
  • aha in Polish dictionaries at PWN
  • Zofia Stamirowska (1987-2024) “aha”, in Anna Basara, editor, Słownik gwar Ostródzkiego, Warmii i Mazur, volume 1, Zakład Narodowy im. Ossolińskich Wydawnictwo Polskiej Akademii Nauk, →ISBN, page 115

Rapa Nui

Etymology

From Proto-Polynesian *hafa. Cognates include Hawaiian aha and Maori aha.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈa.ha/
  • Hyphenation: a‧ha

Pronoun

aha

  1. what?

Usage notes

  • aha is always preceded by an article (either he or te).

References

  • Veronica Du Feu (1996) Rapanui (Descriptive Grammars), Routledge, →ISBN, page 21
  • Paulus Kieviet (2017) A grammar of Rapa Nui‎[4], Berlin: Language Science Press, →ISBN, page 404

Romanian

Interjection

aha

  1. obsolete form of a

References

  • aha in Academia Română, Micul dicționar academic, ediția a II-a, Bucharest: Univers Enciclopedic, 2010. →ISBN

Silesian

Etymology

Inherited from Old Polish aha.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /aˈxa/
  • Audio:(file)
  • Rhymes: -a
  • Syllabification: a‧ha

Interjection

aha

  1. aha! (showing confirmation)
  2. aha! (showing understanding)
  3. aha! (showing that the speaker suddenly remembered something)

Further reading

Sotho

Etymology

From Proto-Bantu *-jáka, a variant of Proto-Bantu *-jíbaka.

Verb

aha

  1. to build

Tagalog

Alternative forms

  • aka — obsolete

Etymology

Borrowed from Spanish ajá.

Pronunciation

  • (Standard Tagalog) IPA(key): /ʔaˈha/ [ʔɐˈha]
  • Rhymes: -a
  • Syllabification: a‧ha

Interjection

ahá (Baybayin spelling ᜀᜑ)

  1. aha!
    Aha! Nauunawaan ko na kung bakit ganiyan ang ikinikilos mo.
    Aha! I now understand why you act that way.

Further reading

  • “aha”, in Pambansang Diksiyonaryo | Diksiyonaryo.ph, Manila, 2018
  • Cuadrado Muñiz, Adolfo (1972) Hispanismos en el tagalo: diccionario de vocablos de origen español vigentes en esta lengua filipina, Madrid: Oficina de Educación Iberoamericana, page 19

Tahitian

Etymology

From Proto-Nuclear Polynesian *afa, from Proto-Oceanic *apa, from Proto-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian *apa, from Proto-Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian *apa, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *apa.

Pronoun

aha

  1. what (interrogative pronoun)

Ternate

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): [ˈa.ha]

Noun

aha

  1. a sago plantation

References

  • Rika Hayami-Allen (2001) A descriptive study of the language of Ternate, the northern Moluccas, Indonesia, University of Pittsburgh

Toba

Particle

aha

  1. yes

References

  • María Belén Carpio, Marisa Censabella (2012) “Clauses as noun modifiers in Toba”, in Bernard Comrie, Zarina Estrada Fernández, editors, Relative Clauses in Languages of the Americas (in Toba), →ISBN

Yoruba

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ā.há/

Noun

ahá

  1. drinking calabash; a small cup carved out of a calabash used to drink palm wine and feed babies.
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