oi

/ɔɪ/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈɔɪ] /ɔɪ/ (ame, ipa)

oi — exclamation

1. said, especially in British English, to make someone look at you or listen at on

1.感嘆詞B1
釋義

said, especially in British English, to make someone look at you or listen at once, often because you are annoyed.

例句

Oi, you dropped your wallet by the ticket machine.

Oi, + warning to a stranger

"Oi! Keep your feet off the bus seat," the driver shouted.

Oi! + direct command

同義詞
  • hey

    can also call for attention, but it is usually less confrontational and works in more casual situations

  • psst

    much quieter and used when you do not want other people to notice

  • excuse me

    the polite choice when you want attention from a stranger or service worker

文法句型

Oi, + warning

Oi! + command

hear a sharp "Oi!"

用法筆記

Mostly British and often sounds rough or confrontational. People use it before a warning, complaint, or order, not as a polite way to start a conversation.

常見錯誤

❌Oi, could you please explain the homework?
✅Excuse me, could you please explain the homework?
💡"oi" sounds too rough for a polite request.
❌I oi-ed to the waiter for more water.
✅I called to the waiter for more water." / "I shouted 'Oi!' to the waiter.
💡use it as the actual shout, not as an ordinary reporting verb.