A multipurpose exclamation expressing surprise, emphasis, mild reproach or affectionate exasperation. From Hindi अरे, also written 'arrey' or 'are'. Often doubled or tripled for stronger effect ("arre arre arre!" to flag escalating disbelief). In South Asian English speech and code-switched chat it functions like "hey", "oh come on" or "good grief" depending entirely on tone. Comfortable at the start of a sentence ("Arre, you came!") or as a standalone reaction. One of the most recognisable particles of Hindi-English code-switching and instantly read as "this speaker is desi".
Arre yaar, kya kar raha hai? I have been calling you for one hour.
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Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.
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