interjection

hoa

hoh

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Hoa (interjection) means an old-fashioned shout used to get someone's attention, similar to "hey" or "ho.". Example: “Hoa!" the sailor called out across the deck.”

interjection

An old-fashioned shout used to get someone's attention, similar to "hey" or "ho."

""Hoa!" the sailor called out across the deck."

noun

A term for people of Chinese descent living in Vietnam, treated there as a distinct ethnic minority.

"Many Hoa families in Vietnam have run businesses in the same neighborhoods for generations."

How to use hoa

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither an attention-grabbing shout, or the name for the Chinese ethnic minority in Vietnam.

When to use it

The interjection sense is archaic and rarely used in modern writing; the ethnic-group sense is the one most commonly encountered today, especially in discussions of Vietnamese demographics and history.

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

"_____!" the sailor called out across the deck.

Etymology

The interjection is an old variant spelling of "ho." The ethnic-group sense comes from Vietnamese Hoa, itself borrowed from Chinese 華 (huá), meaning "Chinese."

Origin: Chinese

Rhymes for hoa

OA DOA LOA POA Goa boa toa Noa Foa whoa Samoa Genoa

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Frequently asked questions

What does “hoa” mean?

The word “hoa” means an old-fashioned shout used to get someone's attention, similar to "hey" or "ho.". In plain terms, either an attention-grabbing shout, or the name for the Chinese ethnic minority in Vietnam.

How do you pronounce “hoa”?

“Hoa” is pronounced hoh (/hoʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “hoa” in a sentence?

Here is “hoa” used in a sentence: “"Hoa!" the sailor called out across the deck.”

What part of speech is “hoa”?

Depending on how it is used, “hoa” can be an interjection and a noun.

Where does the word “hoa” come from?

The word “hoa” comes from Chinese. The interjection is an old variant spelling of "ho." The ethnic-group sense comes from Vietnamese Hoa, itself borrowed from Chinese 華 (huá), meaning "Chinese.".

How many meanings does “hoa” have?

“Hoa” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an old-fashioned shout used to get someone's attention, similar to "hey" or "ho.".

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Words with Chinese origins