hallo
/ɦɑˈloː/
Hello in Dutch can be said as hallo. It is also spelled goeiedag or goededag. Wiktionary also lists hoi and hai.
Meaning: greeting (intj)
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 |
These terms are used as interjections to greet someone. While hallo is a standard greeting, other forms like hoi and hai are more informal and common in casual social settings.
What does it mean word for word?
The word goedendag is a compound of goed (good) and dag (day).
Which one should you use?
Dag can be used both as a greeting (hello) and a farewell (goodbye), whereas hallo is only used for greeting.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Hoi and dag are informal. Goedendag is a formal greeting used in professional or respectful contexts, whereas hallo or hoi are more common in daily life.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɦɑˈloː/
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'hello' to start a conversation, the Dutch version hallo is actually a linguistic relative that was borrowed directly from the English 'hello' or 'halloo'.
- When greeting someone in a professional Dutch environment, it is common to shake hands firmly and maintain direct eye contact, which is considered a sign of respect.
- The Dutch spelling of the formal greeting can vary significantly, appearing as goeiedag, goedendag, or even goededag in different contexts.
Examples in context
- Hoi, ik ben Tom.Hello, I'm Tom.This sentence uses hoi to introduce oneself.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 sentence uses hoi to ask how someone is doing.Tatoeba #481239 by Dorenda, translation #138868 by CK
- 131 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Noah and Emma meet on a street.
- NoahHallo, Emma!Hello, Emma!
- EmmaHallo, Noah. Hoe gaat het?Hello, Noah. How are you?
- NoahGoed, dank je.Good, thank you.
- EmmaFijn om je te zien.Nice to see you.
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.
