ai

See also: Appendix:Variations of "ai"

Languages (78)

Abau • Akei • Albanian • Amblong • Angal Enen • Ao • Apalaí • Aragonese • Araki • Australian Kriol • Catalan • Chuukese • Corsican • Dadibi • Dubu • Dutch • Estonian • Finnish • French • Friulian • Galician • Galoli • Gilbertese • Gun • Hawaiian • Hiri Motu • Iban • Indonesian • Ingrian • Italian • Japanese • Kalasha • Kendayan • Kiowa • Kott • Kuna • Ladin • Ladino • Latin • Latvian • Leti • Lithuanian • Lombard • Manchu • Mandarin • Māori • Mbya Guarani • Middle English • Naga Pidgin • Norman • North Frisian • Norwegian Bokmål • Norwegian Nynorsk • Occitan • Pitjantjatjara • Pohnpeian • Portuguese • Rapa Nui • Rohingya • Romanian • Seri • Sranan Tongo • Sumbawa • Tày • Tetum • Tok Pisin • Tokelauan • Torres Strait Creole • Venetan • Vietnamese • Volapük • Votic • Welsh • West Makian • Yami • Ye'kwana • Zou

Page categories

English

Etymology 1

Originated 1685–95, from Brazilian Portuguese aí, from Old Tupi a'y.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈɑ.i/
Audio (US): (file)

Noun

ai (plural ais or ai)

A type of three-toed sloth, Bradypus tridactylus, endemic to forests of southern Venezuela, the Guianas, and northern Brazil.

Synonyms

(Bradypus tridactylus): maned sloth

References

“ai”, in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th edition, Boston, Mass.: Houghton Mifflin, 2000, →ISBN.
“ai”, in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.

Etymology 2

Contraction of aight (which itself is a contraction of all right).

Alternative forms

aii

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /aɪ/
Audio (US): (file)
Rhymes: -aɪ
Homophones: ay, aye, I, eye

Contraction

ai

(slang, US) All right.
Ai, let's go.

Anagrams

-ia, IA, i.a.

Abau

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /aj/

Noun

ai class II gender mf

fish (general term)
food, meat for consumption

Usage notes

Generally feminine for sense "fish", potentially masculine for sense "food".

References

Lock, Arjen (2011), Abau Grammar (Data Papers on Papua New Guinea Languages)‎^[1], 1st edition, volume 57, Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea: SIL-PNG Academic Publications
- p.62 (feminine gender noted for all fish)
- p.67, Table 21 (listed under Class 2, Feminine)
SIL International (2020), “Abau Dictionary”, in Webonary.org‎^[2]

Akei

Noun

ai

water

References

Sidney Herbert Ray, A comparative study of the Melanesian Island languages (1926), page 351

Albanian

Alternative forms

ay — northern Tosk, Korçë
aĩnê — southern Gheg, Kavajë

Etymology

Continuing a Common Albanian compound *aý ~ *aí, from Proto-Albanian *ahýh ~ *aíh, from a Pre-Proto-Albanian *au̯- ("away, from") + *hýh ~ íh, continuing Proto-Indo-European *h₂au̯ (“away, from”) and Proto-Indo-European *sos (“that”). The second component, from Common Albanian *ý ~ *í, is identical to the Albanian postponed definite article -i, as well as -u, which changed due to contact with final k, g, or a vowel. (e.g. djali, burri, qeni, qyteti, also bariu, ariu, barku).^[1]

Pronunciation

(standard) IPA^(key): [aˈi], (often, unstressed in the dialects) [aj]
(southern Gheg, Kavajë) IPA^(key): [aˈĩnɛ̃]

Pronoun

ai m (accusative atë, dative atij, ablative atij)

he

Declension

Forms of ai (3rd person masculine singular)
	full form	clitic
nominative	ai
ablative	atij / tij
accusative	atë	e
dative	atij	i

	possessive adjective	possessive pronoun
	i tij	i tiji

Pronoun

ai

that

Declension

Declension of ai
	singular		plural
	masculine	feminine	masculine	feminine
nominative	ai	ajo	ata	ato
accusative	atë, të		ata, ta	ato, to
dative/ablative	atij, tij	asaj, saj	atyre, tyre

References

^ Demiraj, Bardhyl et al. (2021), “ai”, in DPEWA. Digitales Philologisch-Etymologisches Wörterbuch des Altalbanischen [DPEWA. Digital Philological-Etymological Dictionary of Old Albanian]

Amblong

Noun

ai

water

Angal Enen

Noun

ai

banana

References

transnewguinea.org, citing Franklin KJ. 1975. Comments on Proto-Engan. In SA Wurm, Ed. New Guinea Area Languages and Language Study: Papuan languages and the New Guinea linguistic scene. Canberra: Pacific Linguistics, pp. 263-275.'

Ao

Etymology 1

Pronunciation

(Chungli) IPA^(key): /a˧.i˧/, [a˧.i˧]

Verb

ai

(Chungli) to enter, go in

Inflection

Inflection of ai (Chungli)
		Affirmative	Negative
Past	Simple	ai	mai
Past	Perfect	iogo	meiogo
Present	Simple	air	mair
Present	Progressive	idar idagi	meidar meidagi
Future/infinitive		aitsü	maitsü
Imperative		iang	tai
Present participle		ia	meii
Conditional		ira irabang	meira meirabang

Etymology 2

From Proto-Central Naga *a-ʒa(ʔ).

Pronunciation

(Chungli) IPA^(key): /a˥.jiʔ˥/, [a˥.jiʔ˥]

Noun

ai

(Chungli) grass

Etymology 3

Pronunciation

(Chungli) IPA^(key): /a˥.i˥/, [a˥.i˥]

Verb

ai

to sharpen
to row (a boat)

Inflection

Inflection of ai (Chungli)
		Affirmative	Negative
Past	Simple	ai	mai
Past	Perfect	iogo	meiogo
Present	Simple	air	mair
Present	Progressive	idar idagi	meidar meidagi
Future/infinitive		aitsü	maitsü
Imperative		iang	tai
Present participle		ia	meii
Conditional		ira irabang	meira meirabang

Apalaí

Noun

ai

penis

Aragonese

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈai̯/
Syllabification: ai
Rhymes: -ai̯

Interjection

ai

ah!, alas!
woe!
expresses pain, sorrow, or surprise

Araki

Etymology

From Proto-Oceanic *waiʀ, from Proto-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian *waiʀ, from Proto-Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian *waiʀ, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *wahiʀ.

Noun

ai

water (clear liquid H₂O)
river, lake

References

François, Alexandre. 2008. An online lexicon of Araki (Santo, Vanuatu). Electronic files. Paris: CNRS. (Pdf version) ‒ entry ai.

Australian Kriol

Etymology 1

From English eye.

Noun

ai

eye
headlight of a car
seed

Etymology 2

From English I.

Pronoun

ai

I

Etymology 3

From English high.

Adjective

ai

high, tall

Catalan

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): (Central, Balearic, Valencia) [ˈaj]
Audio (Barcelona): (file)
Rhymes: -aj

Interjection

ai

ouch (pain), ooh (pain)

Noun

ai m (plural ais)

ooh (pain)

Chuukese

Determiner

ai

First person singular general possessive; my (used with general-class objects)

Related terms

Chuukese possessive determiners
		small objects, concepts	large objects, living things	suffix
singular	first person	ai	nei	-ei
	second person	omw, om	noum	-om
	third person	an	noun	-an
plural	first person	äm (exclusive) ach (inclusive)	nöu̇m (exclusive) nöüch (inclusive)	-em (exclusive) -ach (inclusive)
	second person	ämi, ami	noumi	-emi
	third person	ar	nour	-er

Corsican

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈaj/
Hyphenation: ai

Verb

ai

second-person singular indicative present of avè

References

“avè” in Aiaccinu: Cunghjugatori corsu

Dadibi

Noun

ạị

water

Synonyms

wẹ

References

Karl J. Franklin, Comparative Wordlist 1 of the Gulf District and adjacent areas (1975), page 67
Karl James Franklin, Pacific Linguistics (1973, →ISBN, page 130 (see we)

Dubu

Noun

ai

water

Dutch

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ɑi̯/
Audio: (file)
Hyphenation: ai

Etymology 1

From Middle Dutch ai, ultimately of imitative origin.

Alternative forms

aai (obsolete)

Interjection

ai

expression of pain, grief or pity: ay

References

van der Sijs, Nicoline, editor (2010), “ai¹”, in Etymologiebank, Meertens Institute

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Portuguese ai, from Old Tupi ai.

Alternative forms

aï, aai (obsolete)

Noun

ai m (plural ais, no diminutive)

pale-throated sloth (Bradypus tridactylus)
Synonyms: drievingerige luiaard, zonluiaard (Suriname)

Estonian

Interjection

ai

ow, ouch

Synonyms

aia

Finnish

Etymology

Compare Estonian ai, Ingrian ai, Karelian ai, Ludian ai, Veps ai, Votic ai, and Swedish aj, Norwegian aj, Latvian aj. Perhaps natural; tracing an origin is practically impossible.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈɑi̯/, [ˈɑ̝i̯]
Rhymes: -ɑi
Syllabification^(key): ai
Hyphenation^(key): ai

Interjection

ai

ouch!
oh!
Ai, se olitkin sinä!
Oh, it was you!
(colloquial, interrogative particle) oh...? as in...?
"Käytkö kaupassa?" "Ai, ruokakaupassa?"
"Will you go to the shop?" "Oh, the food shop?"

Synonyms

(ouch): aih, au, auts.
(interrogative): -ko, -kö

Derived terms

ai niin

Anagrams

-ia, ia

French

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /e/, /ɛ/
Audio (France (Lyon)): (file)
Audio (France (Vosges)): (file)
Audio (France (Brétigny-sur-Orge)): (file)
Audio (France (Vosges)): (file)
Homophones: et, aie, aies, aient, ait, es, est, hais, hait

Verb

ai

first-person singular present indicative of avoir
J'ai un chien.
I have a dog.

Anagrams

IA

Friulian

Etymology

From Latin allium.

Noun

ai m (plural ais)

garlic

Galician

Etymology

From Old Galician-Portuguese ay (attested since the 13^th century).

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): [ˈaj]

Interjection

ai

ouch! expresses pain
ooh! expresses pain
oh! expresses concern
- 1812, Antonio Benito Fandiño, A Casamenteira:
  Ai tontiño, porque iñoras
  o qu’he mantér casa e vida,
  que por ben que estea sortida,
  hai faltas a todas horas.
  O segundo, que teu pai
  pensa com’home de ben,
  e así por vergonza ten
  unha nora que non trai.
  Orasme, sobr’esto hai,
  que a dous parizós que teña,
  non tendes donde vos veña,
  cando ela non colla un mal.
  Oh, silly, because you don't know
  what it is to keep house and life,
  no matter how well stocked it is,
  there's lack at all hours.
  Second, your father
  thinks like a good man,
  and to his shame he has
  a daughter-in-law who doesn't bear.
  However, on this matter,
  with just two childbirths that she has,
  you'll be left resourceless,
  and that if she doesn't get sick.

References

Seoane, Ernesto Xosé González; Granja, María Álvarez de la; Agrelo, Ana Isabel Boullón (2006–2022), “ay”, in Dicionario de Dicionarios do galego medieval [Dictionary of dictionaries of Medieval Galician] (in Galician), Santiago de Compostela: Instituto da Lingua Galega
Antón Luís Santamarina Fernández, editor (2006–2013), “ai”, in Dicionario de Dicionarios da lingua galega [Dictionary of Dictionaries of the Galician language] (in Galician), Santiago de Compostela: Instituto da Lingua Galega
Antón Luís Santamarina Fernández, Ernesto Xosé González Seoane, María Álvarez de la Granja, editors (2003–2018), “ai”, in Tesouro informatizado da lingua galega (in Galician), Santiago de Compostela: Instituto da Lingua Galega
Rosario Álvarez Blanco, editor (2014–2024), “ai”, in Tesouro do léxico patrimonial galego e portugués (in Galician), Santiago de Compostela: Instituto da Lingua Galega, →ISSN

Galoli

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kahiw.

Noun

ai

tree
wood

Gilbertese

Etymology

From Proto-Oceanic *api, from Proto-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian *api, from Proto-Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian *apuy, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *hapuy, from Proto-Austronesian *Sapuy.

Noun

ai

fire

Gun

Alternative forms

ayí (Benin)

Etymology

From Proto-Gbe *a-yĩ́ (“earth”).^[1] Cognates include Fon ayǐ, Saxwe Gbe nyixɔ́, Aja (West Africa) anyi. Perhaps related to Yoruba ayé

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ā.jí/

Noun

aí (plural aí lẹ́) (Nigeria)

ground

Derived terms

aígbà (“land”)
jàí (“to fall”)
whèjàí (“evening”)

References

^ Capo, Hounkpati B.C. (1991), A Comparative Phonology of Gbe (Publications in African Languages and Linguistics; 14), Berlin/New York; Garome, Benin: Foris Publications & Labo Gbe (Int), page 215

Hawaiian

Etymology

From Proto-Polynesian *qai, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qasiq.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈai̯/, [ˈɐj], [ˈɛj] (rapid speech)

Verb

ai

to have sexual intercourse; to copulate

Hiri Motu

Pronoun

ai

1st-person plural pronoun exclusive: we, us (but not you)

Iban

Iban Wikipedia has an article on:

ai

Wikipedia ^iba

Etymology

From Proto-Malayic *air, from Proto-Malayo-Chamic *air, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *wahiʀ.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /aiʔ/, /aɛʔ/

Noun

ai

water

Indonesian

Pronunciation

(Standard Indonesian) IPA^(key): /ˈai̯/ [ˈai̯]
Rhymes: -ai̯
Syllabification: ai

Etymology 1

Inherited from Malay ai.

Particle

ai

(dialectal) exclamation to express surprise and so on

Noun

ai (plural ai-ai)

(dialectal) breadfruit bark, which has sparse fibers, the surface is not smooth, has a lot of sap, is light brown in color

Etymology 4

Borrowed from Malay (Riau dialect).

Noun

ai (plural ai-ai)

(dialectal) dirt, that is usually found in well water, rivers, lakes, and so on

Ingrian

Etymology

Ultimately a natural sound. Compare Finnish ai and Estonian ai.

Pronunciation

(Ala-Laukaa) IPA^(key): /ˈɑi̯/, [ˈɑi̯]
(Soikkola) IPA^(key): /ˈɑi̯/, [ˈɑi̯]
Rhymes: -ɑi̯
Hyphenation: ai

Interjection

ai

Exclamation of pain or frustration: ouch! oh!
ai voi ― oh-oh

References

Ruben E. Nirvi (1971), Inkeroismurteiden Sanakirja, Helsinki: Suomalais-Ugrilainen Seura, page 5

Italian

Alternative forms

a' (truncation)
hai (hypercorreted, misspelled, proscribed)

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈaj/
Homophone: hai
Rhymes: -aj
Hyphenation: ài

Contraction

ai

contraction of a i; to the, at the

Anagrams

-ia, IA

Japanese

Romanization

ai

Rōmaji transcription of あい
Rōmaji transcription of アイ

Kalasha

Pronoun

ai

alternative spelling of ábi (sense 1)

Kendayan

Etymology

From Proto-Malayic *air, Proto-Malayo-Chamic *air, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *wahiʀ.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /aiʔ/

Noun

ai

water

Kiowa

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /aj/

Letter

ai (upper case Ai)

A letter of the Kiowa alphabet.

Kott

Etymology

Inherited from Proto-Yeniseian *aj ~ *ad (“I”, first person singular personal pronoun),^[1] derived from Proto-Yeniseian *Ha- (generic personal pronoun base) + Proto-Yeniseian *-jʳ ~ *-xʷ (first person singular pronoun formant).^[2]

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /aj/

Noun

ai

I (first-person singular personal pronoun)

References

^ https://starlingdb.org/cgi-bin/response.cgi?single=1&basename=%2fDATA%2fYENISEY%2fYENET&text_number=42&root=config
^ Vajda, Edward; Werner, Heinrich (2022), Comparative-Historical Yeniseian Dictionary (Languages of the World/Dictionaries; 79, 80), Muenchen: LINCOM GmbH, →ISBN, pages 1, 8-9, 320, 1040?

Kuna

Noun

ai

friend

Ladin

Etymology

a +‎ i

Contraction

ai

at or to the (+ plural noun)

Ladino

Adverb

ai (Hebrew spelling אאי)

alternative form of aí

Latin

Pronunciation

(Classical Latin) IPA^(key): [ˈa.ɪ]
(modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): [ˈaː.i]

Verb

aï

second-person singular present active imperative of aiō
- c. 270 BCE – c. 201 BCE, Gnaeus Naevius, Fragments Palliatae.125:^[1]
  An nā́ta est spṓnsa praégnās? Vél aï vél negā!
  Was the fiancée born pregnant? Answer “yes” or “no”!

Usage notes

Not longer in common use in Classical Latin, being only attested once, in a quotation in a grammatical treatise.

References

^ PHI Latin Texts

Latvian

Interjection

ai

ouch!
oh!

Leti

Etymology

From Proto-Central-Eastern Malayo-Polynesian *apuy, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *hapuy, from Proto-Austronesian *Sapuy.

Noun

ai

fire

Lithuanian

Etymology

Compare Russian ой (oj, “ow!”).

Pronunciation

ái: IPA^(key): /a͡ɪ/

aĩ: IPA^(key): /ɐ͡ɪ/

Interjection

ái! or ai̇̃!

ow!, ah!, (expresses pain, fear or surprise)
oi!, hey! (used to attract someone's attention)

Synonyms

oi!, ui!
oi!, a!

Derived terms

words derived from "ai"

Lombard

Noun

ai

alternative form of aj (“garlic”)

Manchu

Romanization

ai

romanization of ᠠᡳ

Mandarin

Romanization

ai

nonstandard spelling of āi
nonstandard spelling of ái
nonstandard spelling of ǎi
nonstandard spelling of ài

Usage notes

Transcriptions of Mandarin into the Latin script often do not distinguish between the critical tonal differences employed in the Mandarin language, using words such as this one without indication of tone.

Māori

Etymology

From Proto-Polynesian *ʻai, from Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *qai (“copulate with”). Cognate with Hawaiian ai.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈai/ [ˈɐi]

Verb

ai (passive aitia)

to copulate
Synonyms: mahimahi, onioni

Derived terms

ainga (“sex”)
aitanga (“progeny”)

Mbya Guarani

Adjective

ai

(to be) bitter

Conjugation

Possessed forms of ai
singular			plural
1^st person	2^nd person	3^rd person	1^st person inclusive	1^st person exclusive	2^nd person	3^rd person
xerai	nderai	hai	nhanderai	orerai	penderai	hai

Noun

ai

wound, injury

Middle English

Pronoun

ai

alternative form of þei (“they”)

Naga Pidgin

Etymology

Inherited from Assamese আই (ai).

Noun

ai

mother, mom

Norman

Verb

ai

(Guernsey) first-person singular present indicative of aver

North Frisian

Etymology 1

From Old Norse eigi.

Alternative forms

ei (Föhr-Amrum)
ek (Sylt)

Adverb

ai

(Mooring) not

Etymology 2

From Old Frisian *ai, *ei, from Proto-West Germanic *aij, from Proto-Germanic *ajją (“egg”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ōwyóm (“egg”).

Noun

ai

(Föhr-Amrum) egg

Norwegian Bokmål

Interjection

ai

used to express surprise

References

“ai” in The Bokmål Dictionary.

Norwegian Nynorsk

Interjection

ai

used to express surprise

References

“ai” in The Nynorsk Dictionary.

Occitan

Verb

ai

first-person singular present indicative of aver

Pitjantjatjara

Interjection

ai

References

"ai" in Cliff Goddard (1992), Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara to English Dictionary, 2nd edition
Ninti Ngapartji

Pohnpeian

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ɐi/

Interjection

ai

no way!

Portuguese

Etymology

Onomatopoeic.

Pronunciation

(Brazil) IPA^(key): /ˈaj/ [ˈaɪ̯]

(Portugal) IPA^(key): /ˈaj/

Audio (Portugal (Porto)): (file)
Rhymes: -aj
Hyphenation: ai

Interjection

ai

ouch (expression of physical pain)
Ai! Pisei um prego! ― Ouch! I stepped on a nail!
oh (expression of concern)
Ai, se eu te pego! ― Oh, if I catch you!

Derived terms

Rapa Nui

Etymology

From Proto-Polynesian *hai. Cognates include Tongan hai and Māori wai.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈa.i/
Hyphenation: a‧i

Pronoun

ai

who?

References

Paulus Kieviet (2017), A grammar of Rapa Nui‎^[7], Berlin: Language Science Press, →ISBN, page 404

Rohingya

Verb

ai

come

Romanian

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /aj/
Rhymes: -aj
Hyphenation: ai

Etymology 1

Article

ai (masculine plural possessive)

of
Niște prieteni ai lui sunt interesanți.
Some friends of his are interesting.

Etymology 2

From Latin allium / alium.

Noun

ai m (uncountable)

(regional) garlic
Synonym: usturoi

Declension

singular only	indefinite	definite
nominative-accusative	ai	aiul
genitive-dative	ai	aiului
vocative	aiule

Derived terms

aior
mujdei

Etymology 3

Inflected form of avea (“to have”).

Verb

ai

second-person singular present indicative of avea
(you) have
Ai vreun prieten în România?
Do you have any friends in Romania?
inflection of avea:
1. second-person singular present subjunctive
2. second-person singular imperative

Etymology 4

From an old or proto-Romanian form ae, from Latin habēs.^[1]

Verb

ai

(tu) ai (modal auxiliary, second-person singular form of avea, used with past participles to form perfect compus tenses)
(you) have...

Related terms

am
a
ați
au

Etymology 5

Probably from a Vulgar Latin *eas, from Latin habēbās.

Verb

(tu) ai (modal auxiliary, second-person singular form of avea, used with infinitives to form conditional tenses)

(you) would
Ai fi murit dacă ți-aș fi spus.
You would have died if I'd told you.

Related terms

References

^ http://www.lingv.ro/RRL%201-2%202009%20Nevaci,%20Todi.pdf

Seri

Etymology 1

Noun

ai (plural aaita)

his father

Declension

Declension of ai
	singular	plural
absolutive	hapee	—
1st person	hii	—
2nd person	—	—
3rd person	ai	aaita

Derived terms

queaa (“to have as father”)

Etymology 2

Adverb

ai

(rare) still (used with nominalized third person verbs)

References

Moser, Mary B.; Marlett, Stephen A. (2010), Comcaac quih yaza quih hant ihiip hac: cmiique iitom - cocsar iitom - maricaana iitom [Seri-Spanish-English Dictionary], 2nd edition, Hermosillo: Plaza y Valdés Editores, →ISBN, page 43.

Sranan Tongo

ai

Click on labels in the image

skin

Alternative forms

ay (unofficial)

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ai̯/, [a̠i̯], [ɑ̟i̯]

Etymology 1

From English eye.

Noun

ai

eye

Etymology 2

From English aye, ay.

Interjection

ai

yes

References

Wilner, John, editor (2003-2007), “ai”, in Languages of Suriname, 5th edition, SIL International, Sranan-English Dictionary

Sumbawa

Etymology

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *wahiʀ (“fresh water; steam, river”).

Noun

ai

water

References

ABVD
Blust, Robert; Trussel, Stephen; et al. (2023) “*wahiR”, in the CLDF dataset from The Austronesian Comparative Dictionary (2010–), →DOI

Tày

Pronunciation

(Thạch An – Tràng Định) IPA^(key): [ʔaːj˧˧]
(Trùng Khánh) IPA^(key): [ʔaːj˦˥]

Etymology 1

Noun

ai

synonym of cò niêng

Derived terms

có ai

Etymology 2

Verb

ai (Nôm form 埃)

to lean on

Etymology 3

Noun

ai

blow (of wind); steam;
breath
lẹo ai ― out of breath
smell; odor
đâm ai ― to smell

ai nắc ― strong smell

ai hom ― pleasant smell

ai mên ― rancid smell

lẹo ai ― odorless

References

Lương Bèn (2011), Từ điển Tày-Việt [Tay-Vietnamese dictionary]‎^[8][9] (in Vietnamese), Thái Nguyên: Nhà Xuất bản Đại học Thái Nguyên
Dương Nhật Thanh; Hoàng Tuấn Nam (2003), Hoàng Triều Ân, editor, Từ điển chữ Nôm Tày [A Dictionary of (chữ) Nôm Tày]‎^[10] (in Tày and Vietnamese), Hanoi: Nhà xuất bản Khoa học xã hội [Social Sciences Publishing House]
Léopold Michel Cadière (1910), Dictionnaire Tày-Annamite-Français [Tày-Vietnamese-French Dictionary]‎^[11] (in French), Hanoi: Impressions d'Extrême-Orient

Tetum

Etymology

From Proto-Malayo-Polynesian *kahiw, compare Tagalog kahoy.

Noun

ai

tree
wood

Tok Pisin

Etymology

From English eye.

Noun

ai

(anatomy) eye
- 1989, Buk Baibel long Tok Pisin, Port Moresby: Bible Society of Papua New Guinea, Jenesis 3:5:
  Sapos yutupela i kaikai pikinini bilong dispela diwai, bai ai bilong yutupela i op na yutupela i kisim save long wanem samting i gutpela, na wanem samting i nogut, na bai yutupela i kamap wankain olsem God. God i save long dispela, olsem na em i tambuim yutupela long kaikai pikinini bilong dispela diwai.”
  →New International Version translation
hole, opening, lid
tip

Derived terms

ai i pas

Tokelauan

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): [ˈa.i]
Hyphenation: a‧i

Etymology 1

From Proto-Polynesian *hai. Cognates include Hawaiian ai and Samoan ai.

Pronoun

ai

who?

Etymology 2

From Proto-Polynesian *ai. Cognates include Hawaiian ai and Samoan ai.

Particle

ai

Anaphoric particle used to refer to an adverbial clause; there, then

Derived terms

aiheā

References

R. Simona, editor (1986), Tokelau Dictionary‎^[12], Auckland: Office of Tokelau Affairs, page 1

Torres Strait Creole

Etymology 1

From English I.

Pronoun

ai

I (see also mi)

Etymology 2

From English eye.

Noun

ai

eye

Venetan

Noun

ai

plural of aio

Vietnamese

Pronunciation

(Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [ʔaːj˧˧]
(Huế) IPA^(key): [ʔaːj˧˧]
(Saigon) IPA^(key): [ʔaːj˧˧]
Audio (Saigon): (file)

Etymology 1

From Proto-Vietic *ʔeː (“who”). Cognate with Tho [Cuối Chăm] ʔeː¹.

Pronoun

ai • (埃)

who
Ai vậy ạ?
Who are you?

Ai (mà) biết.
Who knows? / How should I know?
whoever, anyone
Ai cũng được. ― Anyone is fine.
someone, someone else
one, a person
- 2005, Nguyễn Ngọc Tư, “Cuối mùa nhan sắc”, in Cánh đồng bất tận, NXB Trẻ:
  Người ở chùa, người bán vé số, người ngủ công viên, người hát rong, ít ai có nhà để về.
  Some live at the temple, some sell lottery tickets, some sleep in parks, some play music in the streets; few have a home to go back to.
(rhetorical) nobody

Usage notes

The interrogative pronoun ai is used for a person. When ai functions as the subject of the question, it is placed at the beginning of the question.

Ai có ô tô? ― Who has a car?

When functioning as the predicate, it can either follow or predate the linking verb là.

Hải là ai? ― Who is Hải?

Ai là Hải? ― Who is Hải?

When functioning as the object, it is placed after the verb.

Nga vẽ ai? ― Whom is Nga drawing?

Derived terms

Etymology 2

Romanization

ai

Sino-Vietnamese reading of 哀

Derived terms

Etymology 3

Romanization

ai

Sino-Vietnamese reading of 埃

Derived terms

trần ai

Volapük

Adverb

ai

always
at all times
constantly (habitually)
ever (always)
habitually

Antonyms

neai

Derived terms

ai laidio (forever)

Votic

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.) Compare Finnish ai and Russian ай (aj).

Pronunciation

(Luutsa, Liivtšülä) IPA^(key): /ˈɑi̯/, [ˈɑi̯]
(Jõgõperä) IPA^(key): /ˈɑi̯/, [ˈɑi̯]
Rhymes: -ɑi̯
Hyphenation: ai

Interjection

ai

oh
ouch, ow

References

Hallap, V.; Adler, E.; Grünberg, S.; Leppik, M. (2012), “ai”, in Vadja keele sõnaraamat [A dictionary of the Votic language], 2nd edition, Tallinn

Welsh

Etymology

May derive from a (interrogative particle) +‎ yw (“is, are”) or from or via the synonymous ae.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ai̯/
Rhymes: -ai̯
Homophones: a'i, â'i, a'u, â'u

Particle

ai (literary)

interrogative particle (used when a non-verbal element is fronted for emphasis)
Synonym: ife

Ai ef yw dy dad?
Is he your father?
whether, if (used when the subordinate clause has a non-verbal element fronted for emphasis)
Ni wn ai ef yw dy dad.
I do not know whether he is your father.

Usage notes

Used before a non-verbal element fronted for emphasis. Unemphatic initial verbs, on the other hand, employ the interrogative particle a.
This word is found in formal language. As an initial interrogative particle, it is often dropped altogether in colloquial language or replaced with ife in some southern dialects.
Likewise, with the meaning "whether", this may be dropped colloquially. An alternative construction influenced by English is to replaced the ai with os (“if”) followed by the appropriate dialect-specific indicating an emphatic subordinate clause, namely taw in south Wales and mai or na in the north.

References

R. J. Thomas, G. A. Bevan, P. J. Donovan, A. Hawke, et al., editors (1950–present), “ai”, in Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Online (in Welsh), University of Wales Centre for Advanced Welsh & Celtic Studies

West Makian

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ˈa.i/

Verb

ai

(intransitive) to come back, return
(intransitive) to depart
naai sito? ― where did you depart from?

Conjugation

Conjugation of ai (action verb)
		singular	plural
		singular	inclusive	exclusive
1st person		taai	maai	aai
2nd person		naai	faai
3rd person	inanimate	iai	daai
3rd person	animate	iai	daai
imperative		naai, ai	faai, ai

References

Clemens Voorhoeve (1982), The Makian languages and their neighbours‎^[13], Pacific linguistics (as ay)

Yami

Noun

ai

(anatomy) foot

Ye'kwana

Variant orthographies
ALIV	ai
Brazilian standard	ai
New Tribes	ai

Etymology

From Proto-Cariban [Term?]. Compare Apalaí ae, Hixkaryana yaye, Macushi yapai, and Waiwai yay.

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): [aj]

Postposition

ai

through, by; indicates motion by way of a non-aquatic object of class 1

Usage notes

A possessed noun that is the object of this postposition does not take the possessed suffix -dü. The postposition can thus combine with nouns referring to body parts and parts of objects to form more complex postpositions/relational nouns.

References

Cáceres, Natalia (2011), Grammaire Fonctionnelle-Typologique du Ye’kwana‎^[14], Lyon, pages 267–272

Zou

Pronunciation

IPA^(key): /ai̯˧˥/

Noun

ái

crab

References

Chungkham Yashawanta Singh; Lukram Himmat (2013), A Descriptive Grammar of Zou, Canchipur: Manipur University, page 40

[1] Demiraj, Bardhyl et al. (2021), “ai”, in DPEWA. Digitales Philologisch-Etymologisches Wörterbuch des Altalbanischen [DPEWA. Digital Philological-Etymological Dictionary of Old Albanian]

[2] Capo, Hounkpati B.C. (1991), A Comparative Phonology of Gbe (Publications in African Languages and Linguistics; 14), Berlin/New York; Garome, Benin: Foris Publications & Labo Gbe (Int), page 215

[3] ttps://https://starlingdb.org/cgi-bin/response.cgi?single=1&basename=%2fDATA%2fYENISEY%2fYENET&text_number=42&root=config

[4] Vajda, Edward; Werner, Heinrich (2022), Comparative-Historical Yeniseian Dictionary (Languages of the World/Dictionaries; 79, 80), Muenchen: LINCOM GmbH, →ISBN, pages 1, 8-9, 320, 1040?

[5] PHI Latin Texts

[6] ttps://http://www.lingv.ro/RRL%201-2%202009%20Nevaci,%20Todi.pdf

[1]

[1]

[1]

[2]

[1]

[1]

	generic location	specific location or goal	pathway
object class 1	awö	aka	ai
object class 2	tawö	taka	tai
aquatic object	kwawö	kwaka	kwai

English

Etymology 1

Pronunciation

Noun

Synonyms

See also

References

Further reading

Etymology 2

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

Contraction

Anagrams

Abau

Pronunciation

Noun

Usage notes

References

Akei

Noun

References

Albanian

Alternative forms

Etymology

Pronunciation

Pronoun

Declension

See also

Pronoun

Declension

References

Amblong

Noun

Further reading

Angal Enen

Noun

References

Ao

Etymology 1

Pronunciation

Verb

Inflection

Etymology 2

Pronunciation

Noun

Etymology 3

Pronunciation

Verb

Inflection

Further reading

Apalaí

Noun

Aragonese

Pronunciation

Interjection

Araki

Etymology

Noun

References

Australian Kriol

Etymology 1

Noun

Etymology 2

Pronoun

Etymology 3

Adjective

Catalan

Pronunciation

Interjection

Noun

Chuukese

Determiner

Related terms

Corsican

Pronunciation

Verb

References

Dadibi

Noun

Synonyms