おい

Japanese

Etymology 1

Likely a general interjection sound. Compare English oi.

Pronunciation

• (Tokyo) お​い [óꜜì] (Atamadaka – [1])
• IPA^(key): [o̞i]

Interjection

おい • (oi) 

1. (usually impolite) Said to get someone's attention; hey!; oi!

Usage notes

• Coincidentally same as British English oi; a false cognate.
• An elongated おーい (ōi) is used when someone is at a distance.

Etymology 2

Kanji reading.

Noun

おい • (oi) 

1. 老い: old age
2. 負ひ:
3. 追い:
4. 笈, 負:
5. 甥: nephew