weh
alas
An exclamation used to express pain, lamentation, dismay, or great suffering.
EXAMPLE
O weh, jetzt haben wir den letzten Bus verpasst!
Oh no, we've missed the last bus!
weh
alas
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Meanings
Usage tips
Standalone exclamation
'Weh!' (alas!) can stand as an independent exclamation and does not need a verb; it is often followed by a personal pronoun in the dative, as in 'weh mir!' (woe is me!). In a dialogue or narrative, the exclamation is often reproduced directly as quoted speech.
EXAMPLE
„Weh mir!“, klagte die Witwe am Grab ihres Mannes.
'Woe is me!' the widow lamented at her husband's grave.
Fixed expression
'Weh' (alas) frequently appears in the fixed expression 'o weh!' or 'oh weh!' (oh dear!). This expression conveys dismay or regret and is also common in everyday speech.
EXAMPLE
Oh weh, das wird bestimmt teuer!
Oh dear, that's definitely going to be expensive!
Strong expression
As an isolated exclamation, 'weh!' (alas!) sounds especially emotionally charged and often appears in dramatic dialogue or literary narratives.
EXAMPLE
„Weh!“, rief der König angesichts der schlechten Nachricht.
'Alas!' the king cried upon hearing the bad news.
In real life
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