hey
gb/hˈeɪ/ us/hˈeɪ/
A1
English
~ 2900
szia, hé
A1
INFORMAL
1
Hey, can you help me with this?
Szia, tudnál segíteni ebben?
Hey there! Long time no see.
Szia! De rég láttalak.
Hey, did you hear the news?
Hey guys, let's get started.
Hey, watch where you're going!
Learner examples
Hey, how are you?
Szia, hogy vagy?
Hey, come here.
Hé, gyere ide.
Hey there!
Hey, look at this.
Hey, do you want some water?
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes overuse 'hey' in formal situations where 'hello' or 'hi' would be more appropriate.
Meaning
Used to call or greet someone
Collocations
hey there
|hey you
|hey guys
|hey everyone
Synonyms
hi (A very common informal greeting, often interchangeable with 'hey' but slightly more neutral.)
|
hello (A standard and neutral greeting, more formal than 'hey'.)
Antonyms
goodbye (An opposite in terms of greeting vs. parting.)
Themes
daily life
|communication
|emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
You say this to call to someone or say hello in a friendly way.
Used to attract someone's attention or to greet them in an informal way.
A2
INFORMAL
2
hé
A2
Hey! That's my seat.
Hé! Az az én helyem.
Hey, what are you doing?
Hé, mit csinálsz?
Hey now, don't be rude.
Hey! You nearly hit me with that ball.
Hey, wait a second!
Learner examples
Hey! That's not fair.
Hé! Ez nem igazságos.
Hey, stop it.
Hé, hagyd abba.
Hey, what is this?
Hey now, be nice.
Hey, wait for me.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this use with greeting and use it in the wrong tone, causing misunderstanding.
Meaning
Used to show surprise or objection
Collocations
hey now
|hey wait a minute
|hey stop that
Synonyms
whoa (Expresses strong surprise or amazement; often more intense than 'hey'.)
|
hold on (Used to pause someone or object; more directive than 'hey'.)
Antonyms
okay (An opposite in the sense of agreement rather than protest.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
You say this when you are surprised or when you want to show you don't like something.
Used to express surprise, mild annoyance, or protest.
Grammar
Dictionary form
hey
IPA
GB/hˈeɪ/
US/hˈeɪ/
Syllables & stress
hey (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (hey)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: hey
- Plural: heys
Word family
Expressions
hey guys
1/hˈeɪ ɡˈaɪz/
fixed phrase
informal
Casual greeting for a group
You say this to greet a group of friends or people informally.
Examples
- Hey guys, what's going on?
- Hey guys! Ready for the trip?
hey there
1/hˈeɪ ðˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
informal
Friendly informal greeting
An informal and warm way to say hello to someone.
Examples
- "Hey there! How have you been?" she asked with a smile.
- Hey there, welcome to the neighborhood.
hey you
1/hˈeɪ jˈu/
fixed phrase
informal
Calling out to someone directly
You say this when you want to get the attention of a specific person.
Examples
- Hey you! Stop right there.
- Hey you, come join us at the table.