Radical 口

10 strokes

mouth 口 (5) + ah 阿 (143a) = eh! 啊

This character is used as an exclamation, added to a sentence to express surprise, admiration, regret, etc. depending on the context. When at the end of a sentence, it has a neutral tone; if the preceding word ends in -n or -ng it changes into 哪 (Character 99) and is pronounced na.

The doctor says, “Open your mouth and say “ah” — yes, these tonsils will have to come out.” “that bad, eh?” the patient says in surprise. / The giant says “Ah” in sympathy (he had to have his tonsils out as a child and he’d cried!)

mound 阝 (96a) + may 可 (140) = ah 阿

Up on the mound sits the May queen on her throne. everyone goes “Ah” when they see her, she looks so splendid. / [No pronunciation needed]