<p>According to the comments above, 口 is a semantic component/形聲字 rather than a radical部首.
<strong>The character 诶/Éi is used when we are unsure of something or are in the process of thinking.
While the character 唉/ai、is used when making a sound of relief.</strong>
Since 唉 already existed, the character for the &quot;Éi&quot; sound will be 诶.
Also, 诶 could also be used for implying the act of speech.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-05T01:59:47.557Z
2021-11-05T01:59:47.557Z
Zorua Kuma
<p>If I am not mistaken, words like &quot;哦“ or ”啊” are interjections (语气动词、感叹词）.</p>
<p>However, I am wondering as to why it has the 言 radical, in place of the 口 radical? Usually I see 言 in place of words that are related to speech, like &quot;讲&quot;, however, 诶 is a sound that is made. This is why I am curious of the reasoning behind the speech radical.</p>

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2021-10-11T21:30:54.243Z
You mean the 口 **semantic component**, right? Radicals are dictionary organisation headers, the only possible radicals for the character 誒 are 言, 厶, or 矢.
dROOOze
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-11T21:34:54.360Z
I've to admit I never know the word 诶. I think these two are used more often "唉" and "哎". The former is closer to 诶. Another similar word - 噯.
r13
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-11T22:12:43.993Z
Per wiki, 誒 is "an exclamation of affirmation", and 唉 is "interjection or grunt of agreement". 誒 implies the act of speech, similar to 讲 and 說 so the 言 radical. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E8%AF%B6
r13
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-10-12T00:26:09.703Z
We use the character 诶 in spoken. Actually, it's pretty common as in 诶, 这是什么?. But I just don't know how to write it down until I see this post! I think (to your question) part of reason is that we already have the character 唉, which is different from the usage of 诶.
dan
<word><radicals>
Why doesn't the word (诶 ) have 口 like other interjection, such as 哦 or 啊?
# Why doesn't the word (诶 ) have 口 like other interjection, such as 哦 or 啊?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2021-10-11)

If I am not mistaken, words like "哦“ or ”啊” are interjections (语气动词、感叹词）.

However, I am wondering as to why it has the 言 radical, in place of the 口 radical? Usually I see 言 in place of words that are related to speech, like "讲", however, 诶 is a sound that is made. This is why I am curious of the reasoning behind the speech radical.

**Tags:** word, radicals

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: You mean the 口 **semantic component**, right? Radicals are dictionary organisation headers, the only possible radicals for the character 誒 are 言, 厶, or 矢.  
> **username_2**: I've to admit I never know the word 诶. I think these two are used more often "唉" and "哎". The former is closer to 诶. Another similar word - 噯.  
> **username_2**: Per wiki, 誒 is "an exclamation of affirmation", and 唉 is "interjection or grunt of agreement". 誒 implies the act of speech, similar to 讲 and 說 so the 言 radical. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E8%AF%B6  
> **username_3**: We use the character 诶 in spoken. Actually, it's pretty common as in 诶, 这是什么?. But I just don't know how to write it down until I see this post! I think (to your question) part of reason is that we already have the character 唉, which is different from the usage of 诶.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_0 on 2021-11-05. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

According to the comments above, 口 is a semantic component/形聲字 rather than a radical部首.
**The character 诶/Éi is used when we are unsure of something or are in the process of thinking.
While the character 唉/ai、is used when making a sound of relief.**
Since 唉 already existed, the character for the "Éi" sound will be 诶.
Also, 诶 could also be used for implying the act of speech.


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