hé

Forms

hé^[1]

Etymology

It is a natural exclamation used to catch someone's attention.^[2] Words of this kind are rarely written down, so their history is hard to trace.^[2] Other languages have similar forms that need not be borrowed: French hé, English hey, German he and Swedish hej.^[2] In modern Dutch the interjection is also used as a greeting, a variant of hoi, since catching someone's attention is part of greeting them.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The first record is Early Modern Dutch he, used to attract attention, in 1612.^[2][3]

Semantic evolution

Besides calling for attention, the interjection expresses surprise, pleasant or not, and strengthens a question asked for confirmation.^[4][3] As an informal greeting it stands beside hoi.^[2][3] It is also written hee.^[1]

Timeline

• 1612 – He as a call for attention is first recorded.^[2][3]

Meanings

Interjection

1. hey: a call for attention: hé, wacht even!.^[4][1]
2. An exclamation of surprise.^[4][3]
3. An exclamation of pleasant surprise.^[4]
4. Strengthening a question that expects agreement: leuk, hé?.^[4][3]
5. (informal) A greeting, hi.^[3][2]

Related words

• hoi
• English hey

Usage notes

Hé, poppelepee! is a playful cry of surprise.^[4]

References

1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h Philippa, Marlies; Debrabandere, Frans; Quak, Arend; Schoonheim, Tanneke; Sijs, Nicoline van der (2003–2009), Etymologisch woordenboek van het Nederlands, 4 vols., Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press; online via etymologiebank.nl
3. ^ a b c d e f g WikiWoordenboek (Dutch Wiktionary), nl.wiktionary.org
4. ^ a b c d e f Van Dale Groot woordenboek hedendaags Nederlands (2014), Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale Uitgevers