hein

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ɛ̃/^[1]

Etymology

It continues inherited from Latin hem (“eh?, hm!”), an interjection expressing various painful feelings and also a question.^{[2][3][4][5][1]} Bloch and Wartburg simply call it an onomatopoeia.^[6] Rey adds that “hein” attached to a question or exclamation, a much later use, might continue Old French ainz (“but rather”), from *antius (“sooner”) (see avant), as a nasalized double of “eh !”^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found as ahene about 1178, and settles in its present spelling in Marivaux (1724).^[2]

Semantic evolution

It is used to ask someone to repeat what one has, or pretends to have, misheard, or to explain what was said.^[2][4] Added to a question it strengthens it (T'es bien décidé, hein ?), and to a statement it asks for agreement, like n'est-ce pas, or reinforces an order or a threat (Fiche-moi la paix, hein !).^[4]

Timeline

• c. 1178 – Ahene.^[2]
• Mid-15th century – Hen.^[2][3]
• 1691 – Heim.^[2][3]
• 1724 – Hein, in Marivaux.^[2]

Meanings

Interjection

1. (familiar) Eh?, what?, asking for something to be repeated.^[4]
2. (familiar) Added to a question or statement: right?, isn't it?, asking for agreement.^[4]
3. (familiar) Expressing surprise, or strengthening an order or threat.^[4]

Related words

• hem
• eh

References

1. ^ a b Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
3. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d e f Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
5. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 4, 400b
6. ^ Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France