Expressions of surprise おや　あれ　あら


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.




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!




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!

