Oye
everyday, Mexico
In Mexico the usual way to say "hey" is Oye, used to call someone over or start a remark. Friends also greet each other with ¿Qué onda?, which is closer to "what's up?" It is also called Ey.
Meaning: way to get someone's attention (interjection)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| Oye | everyday, Mexico |
| ¿Qué onda? | casual, slang |
| Ey | casual |
Oye is a command form of oír, "to hear", so it literally means "listen". Mexicans use it all the time, for example Oye, ¿tienes hora? to a stranger.
Which one should you use?
¿Qué onda? works as a greeting between friends and sounds very Mexican. Ey is a short sound people borrow from English and use casually.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
With someone you address as usted the polite form is Oiga. Use Oye with friends, family and people your age.
Did you know?
- In Mexico people often say Oiga to a waiter or a street vendor to get attention politely.
Examples in context
- Oye, ven un momento.Hey, come here for a second.
- Oiga, disculpe, ¿dónde está el baño?Excuse me, where is the bathroom?
- ¿Qué onda, Luis?Hey Luis, what's up?
Example conversation
Marco calls over his friend Luis outside a taquería in Guadalajara.
- MarcoOye, Luis, ¿qué onda?Hey, Luis, what's up?
- LuisTodo bien, ¿y tú?All good, and you?
- MarcoBien. Oye, ¿vamos a comer?Good. Hey, shall we eat?
