Interjection
[kəˈɾai̯]
"Caray" is an interjection commonly used in Spanish to express surprise, astonishment, or disappointment. It's a mild exclamation that indicates a reaction to something unexpected or startling. The term is used in both oral and written contexts, with a slightly higher frequency in casual spoken language.
"Caray, no esperaba verte aquí!"
"Wow, I didn't expect to see you here!"
"Caray, eso sí que es un problema."
"Goodness, that really is a problem."
"Caray, qué gran sorpresa recibí hoy."
"Gosh, what a big surprise I got today."
While "caray" is primarily an interjection, it can appear in informal idiomatic expressions. Here are some common phrases involving "caray":
"¡Caray! No me lo puedo creer."
"Wow! I can't believe it."
"Caray, eso fue inesperado."
"Goodness, that was unexpected."
"¡Caray, qué manera de empezar el día!"
"Wow, what a way to start the day!"
"Caray, siempre tienes una respuesta."
"Gosh, you always have an answer."
"Caray, ¿de verdad pasó eso?"
"Wow, did that really happen?"
"No puedo creerlo, caray!"
"I can't believe it, goodness!"
The term "caray" is believed to have originated from the Spanish dialects influenced by "carayo," a variant of "carayo," which itself is a euphemism for a stronger exclamation. It is thought to have evolved over time to be a more socially acceptable way to express surprise or frustration without using profanity.
Synonyms: - ¡Vaya! - ¡Ay! - ¡Caramba!
Antonyms: - Soso (bland) - Tranquilo (calm) - Serio (serious)
In summary, "caray" is a versatile interjection used to convey surprise or astonishment, frequently adopted in conversational Spanish. Its usage spans various informal contexts, enriching expressions of emotion in day-to-day language.