hein
/ɛ̃/
The English phrase 'eh' can be expressed in French using hein.
hein is an informal interjection used to mean 'eh' or 'huh'. It is used to ask for repetition or clarification.
Meaning: request for repetition or clarification (intj)
Which one should you use?
While hein can be used to ask someone to repeat something, it is much more abrupt and less polite than using Pardon ? or Comment ?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
hein is highly informal and should be avoided in formal or professional settings. In informal speech, you might also use Tu vois? to invite agreement or understanding or Non? at the end of a statement to turn it into a tag question. For formal situations where you want to seek confirmation, use N'est-ce pas? or N'est-ce pas que to ask if a fact or statement is true.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɛ̃/
Did you know?
- The word hein actually shares a distant ancestor with the Latin word hem, which was a simple exclamation used to express surprise or to grab attention.
- The expression hein? can sometimes act as a standalone reaction to news that is shocking, rather than just a request to repeat a word.
- While hein is common in casual speech, using it with a superior in France can be perceived as a sign of aggression or a lack of education.
Examples in context
- Pas mal, hein ?Not bad, eh?This example shows how hein can be used as a tag question.Tatoeba #3245117 by sacredceltic, translation #8384103 by shekitten
- Tu vas pas crever, hein ?You're not gonna die, eh?This example shows the use of hein in a sentence.Tatoeba #500911 by sacredceltic, translation #691381 by Scott
- Tu conduis pas le métro, hein ?You don't drive the subway, eh?This example demonstrates using hein to seek confirmation.Tatoeba #2883747 by sacredceltic, translation #5940026 by bretsky
- La conférence était intéressante, n'est-ce pas?The conference was interesting, isn't it?
- On se retrouve au café, hein?We'll meet at the café, eh?
- On se rejoint à 18h, non?We'll meet at 6 pm, eh?
- Les croissants sont délicieux, n'est-ce pas?The croissants are delicious, aren't they?
- Il fait froid aujourd'hui, hein?It's cold today, eh?
- On rentre ensemble, non?We're going home together, eh?
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are walking in a park.
- NathanOn se voit demain à midi.We are meeting tomorrow at noon.
- ManonHein ? Tu as dit quoi ?Eh? What did you say?
- NathanDemain à midi, Manon.Tomorrow at noon, Manon.
- ManonD'accord, c'est noté.Okay, noted.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry hein, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hein, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
