used when somebody has almost had an accident, broken something, etc. （差点出事故、摔破物品等时说）哎 used when you have done something embarrassing, said something rude by accident, told a secret, etc. （做了令人尴尬的事、说了无理的话或泄露了秘密等时说）哎
Word Originnatural exclamation: first recorded in English in the 1930s.