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There seem to be three very similar expressions of surprise - おや, あれ, and あら.
Is there much particular difference? So far I've gathered that あれ is almost
always genuine surprise, whereas あら and おや can express more broad ranges of
emotion, and that あら is a little more feminine.
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2015-11-28T23:03:47.927
29525
2015-11-29T11:21:51.763
2015-11-28T23:25:02.053
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question
word-choice words interjections
Expressions of surprise おや　あれ　あら
The 3 have very similar meaning that even Japanese sometimes can't
distinguish.

おや  
It just describe surprising.

あら  
It's almost the same as おや but feminine.

あれ  
It's slightly different, it means surprising when a difference is found with
something, like your memory. e.g. あれ? an egg should have been in refrigerator!
who ate it!
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2015-11-29T11:17:04.067
29536
2015-11-29T11:21:51.763
2015-11-29T11:21:51.763
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answer