hey

hey — exclamation

1. a word you call out when you want someone to look at you or listen to you — depe

1.感嘆詞A1
釋義

a word you call out when you want someone to look at you or listen to you — depending on your tone and the situation, it can sound neutral, urgent, or rude.

例句

Hey, Otis! Wait for me — I need to ask you something.

used neutrally to call a friend by name

Hey, could you keep your voice down? The baby is asleep.

requesting quiet; can sound impatient if spoken sharply

同義詞
  • oi

    British/Commonwealth; much ruder and more confrontational

  • yo

    very informal, used among friends; common in US slang

  • excuse me

    polite and neutral; appropriate for strangers and formal contexts

文法句型

hey + [clause / noun phrase that names the person you are calling]

用法筆記

Tone of voice changes the politeness level greatly. A loud or sharp 'hey' can sound angry or rude, while a softer one can be friendly. This word is very informal and should not be used in formal writing or polite letters.

常見錯誤

❌Hey, I am writing to apply for the position.
✅Dear Hiring Manager, I am writing to apply for the position.
💡'hey' is too casual for formal letters or job applications.
❌Hey, sir, may I help you?
✅Excuse me, sir, may I help you?
💡'hey' can sound rude when speaking to someone you do not know in a service setting.

2. a friendly, relaxed way of saying hello to someone you know, used when you meet

2.感嘆詞A1
釋義

a friendly, relaxed way of saying hello to someone you know, used when you meet them or start a conversation.

例句

Hey, Élise! Long time no see — how was your trip to Japan?

greeting a friend after a long absence

Hey, how is it going? Do you want to grab coffee later?

同義詞
  • hi

    slightly more neutral than 'hey'; works in semi-formal settings

  • hello

    neutral and polite; appropriate for almost any situation

  • yo

    very informal slang; used mostly among younger speakers

反義詞
  • goodbye

    the opposite function — ending a conversation instead of starting one

文法句型

hey + [noun phrase / question / clause]

用法筆記

Use 'hey' only with people you know well — friends, family, or close colleagues. It sounds too casual for a boss, a teacher, or someone you have never met before. 'Hello' or 'hi' are safer choices in those situations.

常見錯誤

❌Hey, Professor Chen. May I ask a question?
✅Hello, Professor Chen. May I ask a question?
💡'hey' is too informal when addressing a teacher or superior.
❌Hey, nice to meet you.
✅Hello, nice to meet you.
💡'hey' sounds odd when meeting someone for the first time.