Etymologically
Log in

hé

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 21 October 2026 at 15:25. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Pronunciation

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]

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