haai, interjection

/haɪ/
Forms:
haayi, haiShow more Also haayi, hai, hayi.
Origin:
IsiXhosaShow more From isiXhosa hayi no.
‘No!’: expressing fellow-feeling in conversation; an exclamation of surprise, disbelief, or disapproval. Cf. ai, aikona interjection.
1941 ‘R. Roamer’ in Bantu World 8 Mar. 4Hai, members, women’s hearts have many doors, really. And these doors open so easily.
1949 L. Hunter Afr. Dawn 19Hayi, it was a waste of money sending girls to school, but boys could benefit by a good education and earn large salaries.
1959 A. Delius Last Division 76Haai, Masters, this news was a terrible shock, And my heart was heavy like a concrete block.
1960 J. Cope Tame Ox 213Haayi...no more shouting, no swearing.
1969 A. Fugard Boesman & Lena 49Outa still worry you? Haai Boesman. He’s dead.
1973 M. Van Biljon in Star 16 June 6Haai shame, he could never have known how sensitive people are, down here in deepest civilisation.
1976 M. Melamu in New Classic No.3, 3This woman’s language, hayi!
1989 L. Beake Cageful of Butterflies 11Haai Maina! This child of yours will be a great warrior!
1991 P. Slabolepszy Braait Laaities. 20I am thinking — Police? Aikona! Hai sugga!
‘No!’: expressing fellow-feeling in conversation; an exclamation of surprise, disbelief, or disapproval.
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idiomatic
gyppo guts, noun phrasen. phr.haakdoring, nounn.
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