héi
The Irish word for "hey" is héi.
Meaning: informal greeting (intj)
When do people say it?
Irish speakers often use traditional phrases like Dia ‘s Muire dhuit to offer a warm and friendly hello.
Did you know?
- Unlike English, traditional Irish has no single word for 'hello' because greetings were historically based on wishing for divine protection or health.
- While héi is a modern loanword, traditional greetings often function like a ritual exchange where the responder must provide a specific, fixed reply to be polite.
- While héi is a modern loanword, Irish speakers traditionally use a as a vocative particle before a name to get someone's attention, such as a Seán.
Example conversation
Aoife and Cathal meet at a cafe.
- AoifeHéi, a Chathail!Hey, Cathal!
- CathalHéi, a Aoife! Cénlyas atá tú?Hey, Aoife! How are you?
- AoifeTá mé go hiontach, go raibh maith agat.I am great, thank you.
- CathalSmaoineadh go dea!That's good!
