Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| hallo | /ɦɑˈloː/ | |
| hoi | /ɦɔi̯/ | |
| hai | ||
| dag | /dɑx/ | informal |
| goeiedag | /ɣu.jə.ˈdɑx/ | alternative form |
| goededag | /ɣudə ˈdɑx/ | alternative form |
| goedendag | /ɣu.də(n)ˈdɑx/ /ɣu.jəˈdɑx/ |
|
| goeiendag | formal |
The phrase is used as a greeting. Common ways to greet people include the neutral hallo, the informal hoi or the informal hai. You can also use dag to say both hello and goodbye, though it is more common as a way to say goodbye.
What does it mean word for word?
The word goedendag is a compound of goed (good) and dag (day).
Which one should you use?
While hallo is a neutral greeting suitable for most situations, hoi is more informal. The word dag is an informal option that can function as both a greeting and a farewell.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For informal settings, such as among friends, you can use hallo, hoi, hai or dag. For more formal situations, you can use goedendag or its variants goeiedag, goededag and goeiendag.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the northern parts of the Netherlands, such as Groningen and Friesland, the regional variation moi is commonly used.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɦɑˈloː/
When do people say it?
Depending on the time of day, you might use more specific formal greetings: use Goedemorgen for good morning and Goedenavond for good evening.
Did you know?
- The informal greeting hoi may have evolved from the English nautical term ahoy.
Examples in context
- Hoi, ik ben Tom.Hello, I'm Tom.This example shows how to introduce yourself using hoi.Tatoeba #9776132 by Raizin, translation #5758404 by CM
- Hoi, ik ben Nancy.Hello, I am Nancy.Tatoeba #416151 by Dorenda, translation #242649 by CP
- Hoi, hoe gaat het?Hello, how are you?This example shows how to ask how someone is doing using hoi.Tatoeba #481239 by Dorenda, translation #138868 by CK
- Hallo Daan, hoe gaat het met je?Hello Daan, how are you?
- 131 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noah and Sophie meet on a walking path.
- NoahHallo, Sophie!Hello, Sophie!
- SophieHallo Noah, hoe gaat het?Hello Noah, how are you?
- NoahHet gaat goed, dank je.It is going well, thank you.
- SophieDat is fijn om te horen.That is good to hear.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hello” translations and entries hallo, hoi, dag, goeiedag, goededag, goedendag, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dag, hallo, hoi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
