Aho, Āho: 18 definitions
Introduction:
Aho means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali, Marathi, Jainism, Prakrit, Hindi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Natyashastra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Source: Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstraAho (अहो) refers to the exclamation “how wonderful” and represents an element of a siddhi (success) expressed vocally (vāṅmayī), according to the Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 27. The siddhis in a dramatic production (nāṭaka) arise from words, sattva and gestures and relate to the various bhāva (psychological states) and rasa (sentiments). They can be broadly divided into divine (daivikī) and human (mānuṣī) which are made up of sattvas expressed vocally or physically.
Accordingly, “similarly, “how wonderful” (aho) is naturally uttered by the spectators in connexion with psychological states (bhāva) like astonishment (vismaya) and to express great joy and the like”.

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (shastra) of performing arts, (natya—theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing Dramatic plays (nataka), construction and performance of Theater, and Poetic works (kavya).
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryaho : (ind.) exclamation of surprise or consternation.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryAho, (indecl.) (Sk. aho, for etym. see aha1) exclamation of surprise, astonishment or consternation: yea, indeed, well; I say! for sure! VvA.103 (aho ti acchariy’atthena nipāto); J.I, 88 (aho acchariyaṃ aho abbhutaṃ), 140. Usually combd. with similar emphatic particles, e. g. aho vata DhA.II, 85; PvA.131 (= sādhu vata); aho vata re D.II, 107; Pv.II, 94 5. Cp. ahe. (Page 92)

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
Marathi-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryahō (अहो).—A respectful particle of calling or address to man or woman. 2 After a name or a word a is dropped, as kāyahō, kāṃhō. 3 An interjection of admiration or sudden delight.
Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-Englishahō (अहो).—A respectful particle of calling to man or woman.
Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryAho (अहो).—ind.
1) A particle showing (a) surprise or wonder; often agreeable (ah, how great or wonderful); अहो कामी स्वतां पश्यति (aho kāmī svatāṃ paśyati) Ś.2.2; अहो मधुरमासां दर्शनम् (aho madhuramāsāṃ darśanam) Ś.1; अहो बकुलावलिका (aho bakulāvalikā) M.1 Oh, it is बकुला° (bakulā°) (meaning 'I did not expect to see you here'); अहो रागबद्धचित्तवृत्तिरा- लिखित इव सर्वतो रङ्गः (aho rāgabaddhacittavṛttirā- likhita iva sarvato raṅgaḥ) Ś.1; अहो रूपमहो वीर्यमहो सत्त्वमहो द्युतिः (aho rūpamaho vīryamaho sattvamaho dyutiḥ) Rām. (how wonderful his form &c.). (b) Painful surprise; अहो ते विगतचेतनत्वम् (aho te vigatacetanatvam) K.146.
2) Sorrow or regret in general; ('alas,' 'ah'); अहो दुष्यन्तस्य संशयमारूढाः पिण्डभाजः (aho duṣyantasya saṃśayamārūḍhāḥ piṇḍabhājaḥ) Ś.6; विधिरहो बलवानिति मे मतिः (vidhiraho balavāniti me matiḥ) Bhartṛhari 2.91.
3) Praise ('bravo', 'well done'); अहो देवदत्तः पचति शोभनम् (aho devadattaḥ pacati śobhanam) P.VIII.1.4 Sk.
4) Reproach ('fie', 'shame'); अहो वो धिग्बलं क्षात्रम् (aho vo dhigbalaṃ kṣātram) Mb.
5) Calling out or addressing; अहो हिरण्यक श्लाध्योऽसि (aho hiraṇyaka ślādhyo'si) H.1.
6) Envy or jealousy; कटमहो करिष्यसि (kaṭamaho kariṣyasi) P.VIII.1.41 Com.
7) Enjoyment, satisfaction.
8) Fatigue.
9) Doubt (probably for āho q. v.).
1) In the sense, obvious, plain, clear; (prasiddha) अहो- ष्मान्तर्गतश्चापि गर्भत्वं समुपेयिवान् (aho- ṣmāntargataścāpi garbhatvaṃ samupeyivān) Mahābhārata (Bombay) 12.253.11.
11) Sometimes merely as an expletive. Prov. अहो रूपमहो ध्वनिः (aho rūpamaho dhvaniḥ) (used to convey the idea of mutual adulation, the ass complimenting the camel upon its fine form, and the camel the ass upon its melodious voice); अहो नु खलु (aho nu khalu) (bhoḥ) generally indicates surprise, often agreeable (āścarya) अहो नु खल्वीदृशीमवस्थां प्रपन्नोऽस्मि (aho nu khalvīdṛśīmavasthāṃ prapanno'smi) Ś.5; अहो नु खलु भोस्तदेत- त्काकतालीयं नाम (aho nu khalu bhostadeta- tkākatālīyaṃ nāma) Mālatīmādhava (Bombay) 5. अहो बत (aho bata) shows (a) compassion, pity, regret; अहो बत महत्पापं कर्तुं व्यवसिता वयम् (aho bata mahatpāpaṃ kartuṃ vyavasitā vayam) Bhagavadgītā (Bombay) 1.44; (b) satisfaction or admiration (saṃtoṣa); अहो बतासि स्पृह- णीयवीर्यः (aho batāsi spṛha- ṇīyavīryaḥ) Kumārasambhava 3.2 (Oh, how enviable is your prowess; Malli. here takes aho bata in the sense of saṃbodhana; (c) addressing, calling; (d) fatigue &c. (aho batānukampāyāṃ khede saṃbodhane) Nm. (aho dhigarthe śoke ca karuṇārthaviṣādayoḥ | saṃbodhane praśaṃsāyāṃ vismaye pādapūraṇe || asūyāyāṃ vitarke ca prāyaśoho prayujyate | aho batānukampāyāṃ khedāmantraṇayostathā ||).
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Āho (आहो).—ind. An interjection expressing (a) Doubt or alternative (or), and usually standing as a corelative of किम् (kim); किम् वैखानसं व्रतं निषेवितव्यं (kim vaikhānasaṃ vrataṃ niṣevitavyaṃ) ... आहो निवत्स्यति समम् हरिणाङ्गनाभिः (āho nivatsyati samam hariṇāṅganābhiḥ) Ś.1.27; दारत्यागी भवाम्याहो परस्त्रीस्पर्शपांसुलः (dāratyāgī bhavāmyāho parastrīsparśapāṃsulaḥ) Ś.5.29. (b) Interrogation.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English DictionaryAho (अहो).—ind. A particle and interjection of, 1. Reproach, (fie !) 2. Compassion. 3. Regret, (ah ! oh !) 4. Calling, (ho ! hola !) 5. Praise, flattery, approbation. 6. Fatigue, weariness. 7. Surprise, (ah !) 8. Doubt, deliberation, (either, or.) 9. Contempt, sneering. 10. An expletive. E. a neg. hā to go, and ḍo aff.
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Āho (आहो).—ind. 1. An interjection of doubt; 2. Of asking.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryAho (अहो).—interj. 1. of calling, [Pañcatantra] 45, 12; 2. of grief, [Pañcatantra] 21, 3; 3. of regret, [Śākuntala, (ed. Böhtlingk.)] [distich] 35; 4. of contempt, [Pañcatantra] [prologue.] [distich] 8; 5. of surprise, [Pañcatantra] 76, 24; 6. of praise, [Hitopadeśa] 17, 5.
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Āho (आहो).—part. Or, [Śākuntala, (ed. Böhtlingk.)] [distich] 125.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryAho (अहो).—exclamation of joy, sorrow or astonishment.
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Āho (आहो).—([indeclinable]) or; [with] svid or perhaps.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Aho (अहो):—[from ahar] 1. aho (instead of ahā [= ahar] in [compound] before the letter r).
2) 2. aho ind. a particle (implying joyful or painful surprise) Ah! (of enjoyment or satisfaction) Oh! (of fatigue, discontent, compassion, sorrow, regret) Alas! Ah! (of praise cf. [Pāṇini 8-1, 40 [sequens]]) Bravo! (of reproach) Fie! (of calling, [Kumāra-sambhava iii, 20]) Ho! Halo! (of contempt) Pshaw! Often combined with other particles of similar signification, as aho dhik or dhig aho, aho bata, etc.
3) Āho (आहो):—ind. ([gana] cādi, [Pāṇini 1-4, 57]) an interjection, of asking and of doubt, ‘Is it so?’ [Śatapatha-brāhmaṇa; Taittirīya-upaniṣad; Śakuntalā; Bhagavad-gītā]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Aho (अहो):——ind. Ah! Oh! ho!
2) Āho (आहो):—ind. An interjection of doubt.
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Aho (अहो) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Amho, Aho.
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Hindi dictionary
Source: DDSA: A practical Hindi-English dictionaryAho (अहो):—(int.) Oh ! O !
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Prakrit-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary1) Aho (अहो) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Ahani.
2) Aho (अहो) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Aho.
3) Aho (अहो) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Aho.
4) Aho (अहो) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Ahan.
Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.
Kannada-English dictionary
Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpusAhō (ಅಹೋ):—[interjection] an interjection expressing wonder, pain, relief or calling attention.
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Āhō (ಆಹೋ):—[interjection] an interjection expressing surprise or wonder.
Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.
Nepali dictionary
Source: unoes: Nepali-English DictionaryAho (अहो):—interj. 1. 'I say!'; 2. 'Oh!';
Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with (+13): Ahoacacuahuitl, Ahobala shastrin, Ahobala suri, Ahobalanathasiddhanta, Ahobalashastrin, Ahoda, Ahodhvana, Ahoganga, Ahohiya, Ahoia, Ahoma, Ahomasamyukta, Ahombogori, Ahopurushike, Ahorana, Ahorathamtara, Ahorathantara, Ahoratna, Ahoratram, Ahoratre.
Full-text (+227): Ahoratra, Ahopurushika, Ahosvit, Ahobala, Ahovirya, Ahorupa, Uta, Ahojaho, Ahodhvana, Bata, Ahoratram, Dhik, Ahopurishaka, Ahoratna, Jalaca Pura, Aha, Avyagra, Akotarai, Ho, Ahopurusha.
Relevant text
Search found 104 books and stories containing Aho, Ahō, Āho, Āhō, Ahō°, Na-ha-o, Na-hā-o; (plurals include: Ahos, Ahōs, Āhos, Āhōs, Ahō°s, os). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Bhagavad-gita (with Vaishnava commentaries) (by Narayana Gosvami)
Verse 17.1 < [Chapter 17 - Śraddhā-traya-vibhāga-yoga]
Verse 1.44 < [Chapter 1 - Sainya-Darśana (Observing the Armies)]
Verses 1.24-25 < [Chapter 1 - Sainya-Darśana (Observing the Armies)]
Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu (by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī)
Verse 2.3.34 < [Part 3 - Involuntary Ecstatic Expressions (sattvika-bhāva)]
Verse 2.1.293 < [Part 1 - Ecstatic Excitants (vibhāva)]
Verse 2.2.12 < [Part 2 - Ecstatic Expressions (anubhāva)]
Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika (by R. Balasubramanian)
Verse 2.539-540 < [Book 2 - Brahmavallī]
Verse 2.469 < [Book 2 - Brahmavallī]
Verse 3.82 < [Book 3 - Bhṛguvallī]
Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana (by Gaurapada Dāsa)
Text 10.82 < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]
Text 9.22 < [Chapter 9 - Ornaments of Sound]
Text 10.158 < [Chapter 10 - Ornaments of Meaning]
Jivanandana of Anandaraya Makhin (Study) (by G. D. Jayalakshmi)
Analysis of Śivabhakti < [Chapter 6 - Dramatic aspects of the Jīvanandana Nāṭaka]
Analysis of Buddhi (Queen of Jīva) < [Chapter 6 - Dramatic aspects of the Jīvanandana Nāṭaka]
Analysis of Hāsya-rasa < [Chapter 6 - Dramatic aspects of the Jīvanandana Nāṭaka]
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)
Verse 2.4.97 < [Chapter 4 - Vaikuṇṭha (the spiritual world)]
Verse 1.5.41 < [Chapter 5 - Priya (the beloved devotees)]
Verse 1.4.67 < [Chapter 4 - Bhakta (the devotee)]