ай да

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Russian

Pronunciation

Particle

а́й да • (áj da)

  1. (colloquial) good old, what a (an expression of admiration or approval)
    • 1979 [1825 November], А. С. Пушкин, “Письмо 172 [Letter 172]”, in Полное собрание сочинений: В 10 т. [Complete Works, in 10 vols.], volume 10:
      Траге́дия моя́ ко́нчена; я перечёл её вслух, оди́н, и бил в ладо́ши и крича́л, а́й да Пу́шкин, а́й да су́кин сын!
      Tragédija mojá kónčena; ja perečól jejó vslux, odín, i bil v ladóši i kričál, áj da Púškin, áj da súkin syn!
      My tragedy is done; I reread it aloud, alone, and clapped my hands and shouted: What a Pushkin, what a son of a bitch!
  2. (colloquial, often ironic, sarcastic) truly, indeed (an expression of admiration or approval; or alternatively, of mockery or disapproval)
    • 1887, Е. А. Салиас, Фрейлина императрицы:
      Хохотали господа, хохотали дети, хохотали холопы. ― Ай да угостили польскую гостью!..
      Xoxotali gospoda, xoxotali deti, xoxotali xolopy. ― Aj da ugostili polʹskuju gostʹju!..
      The lords laughed, the children laughed, the bondmen laughed. “Indeed we treated our Polish lady guest to a fine dinner!…”

Usage notes

  • Used before a noun or verbal phrase.

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