Chinese phrases
How to say oh my god in Chinese
Oh my god in Chinese is 天哪 (tiān na) or 我的天 (wǒ de tiān), literally “my heavens.” Both work for good and bad surprises.
天哪
oh my god
天 means “sky; heaven.” These are everyday exclamations, and they are not rude.
Ways to say oh my god
天哪
Everydayoh my god
Surprise, shock or delight. Fine with anyone. You also see it written 天啊.
我的天
Everydayoh my god
Very common, especially among younger people. 我的天哪 is stronger.
妈呀
With friendsyikes!
A sudden fright or shock: a spider, a huge bill. Literally “mom!”
哎呀
Everydayoh no; oops
Small mishaps and annoyances: you drop something, or you forgot your keys.
哇
Everydaywow
Good surprise: a view, a gift, a big dish arriving at the table.
我去
With friendswhoa; damn
Slang for shock or annoyance, common online and among young people. It began as a softened swear word, so keep it for friends.
Common mistakes
Translating it word for word
哦，我的上帝 is how dubbed Western films say it. In real conversation it sounds theatrical, and people use it as a joke. Say 天哪 or 我的天.
Reading 天哪 as tiān nǎ
In 天哪, 哪 is a light na, not nǎ, “which.” The 哪 only stretches the sound of 天.
Saying 我去 to older people
我去 is casual slang. With parents’ friends, teachers or at work, say 天哪 or 哇.
First snow
天哪，你看窗外！
Qiqi: Oh my god, look outside!
哇，下雪了！
Leon: Wow, it’s snowing!
今年第一场雪。
Qiqi: The first snow of the year.
我的天，好漂亮啊。
Leon: Oh my god, it’s so beautiful.
