''Opa'' ( el, ώπα) is a common North African and East Mediterranean
emotional expression
An emotional expression is a behavior that communicates an emotional state or attitude. It can be verbal or nonverbal, and can occur with or without self-awareness. Emotional expressions include facial movements like smiling or scowling, simple ...
. It is frequently used during celebrations such as weddings or
traditional dancing. In
Greek culture
The culture of Greece has evolved over thousands of years, beginning in Minoan civilization, Minoan and later in Mycenaean Greece, continuing most notably into Classical Greece, while influencing the Roman Empire and its successor the Byzantine ...
, the expression sometimes accompanies the act of
plate smashing
Plate smashing is a Greek custom involving the intentional smashing of plates or glasses during celebratory occasions. In popular culture, the practice is most typical of foreigners' stereotypical image of Greece, and while it occurs more rarely ...
.
It can also be used to express enthusiasm, shock or surprise, or just after having made a mistake.
Opa is also used in many
Balkan countries
The Balkans ( ), also known as the Balkan Peninsula, is a geographical area in southeastern Europe with various geographical and historical definitions. The region takes its name from the Balkan Mountains that stretch throughout the whol ...
such as Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and North Macedonia as an expression of shock and surprise, or in their traditional folk dances. In
Jewish culture, it is used for
mazel tov
"Mazel tov" or "mazal tov" (Hebrew/ Yiddish: , Hebrew: ''mazál tov''; Yiddish: ''mázl tov''; lit. "good fortune") is a Jewish phrase used to express congratulations for a happy and significant occasion or event.
Etymology and pronunciatio ...
.
Arabs
The Arabs (singular: Arab; singular ar, عَرَبِيٌّ, DIN 31635: , , plural ar, عَرَب, DIN 31635: , Arabic pronunciation: ), also known as the Arab people, are an ethnic group mainly inhabiting the Arab world in Western Asia, ...
in the
Eastern Mediterranean
Eastern Mediterranean is a loose definition of the eastern approximate half, or third, of the Mediterranean Sea, often defined as the countries around the Levantine Sea.
It typically embraces all of that sea's coastal zones, referring to comm ...
sometimes pronounce it as "obah" (in Arabic, due to the absence of the letter 'p'), and especially use the expression when picking up or playing with children.
Opa also appears in both Brazil and Portugal. A less common variation is "epa". Besides being used as an emotional expression, opa (or epa) can also be used as a way of getting someone's attention (similar to "Hey!" in English). In
Romanian
Romanian may refer to:
*anything of, from, or related to the country and nation of Romania
**Romanians, an ethnic group
**Romanian language, a Romance language
*** Romanian dialects, variants of the Romanian language
**Romanian cuisine, traditiona ...
(hopa) and
Russian culture
Russian culture (russian: Культура России, Kul'tura Rossii) has been formed by the nation's history, its geographical location and its vast expanse, religious and social traditions, and Western influence. Russian writers and phi ...
(опа) it is used during the short phase of concentration on an action (similar to "come on" in English), the expectation of successful process during the action and the subsequent completion of it, for example, when throwing a basketball into the basket, getting off the bike or picking up a child. The use of this expression is popular in most Eastern European countries.
References
External links
{{Wiktionary, ώπα
Greek words and phrases
Interjections
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