hoi, hoe gaat het
The English phrase "hi how are you" is translated into Dutch as hoi, hoe gaat het.
This phrase is a common informal greeting used to say hello and ask about someone's well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
The part hoe gaat het literally translates to "how goes it".
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the question more personal or informal, you can add met je (with you) to the end of the phrase, resulting in hoe gaat het met je.
When do people say it?
When someone asks you hoe gaat het, a common response is goed, dank je (good, thank you).
Did you know?
- The word hoi may have been borrowed from the English nautical greeting 'ahoy' or the Middle English 'hoy'.
- In the Netherlands, answering hoe gaat het with a detailed description of your problems is often seen as too honest for a casual greeting, unlike in some other cultures.
Examples in context
- Hoi, alles goed?Hi, everything good?
- Hoi, hoe gaat het?Hi, how are you?
- Hoi, hoe gaat het met je?Hi, how are you doing?
- Hoi, hoe gaat het met iedereen?Hi, how is everyone doing?
Example conversation
Noah and Emma meet briefly on the street.
- NoahHoi, hoe gaat het, Emma?Hi, how are you, Emma?
- EmmaGoed, dank je! En met jou, Noah?Good, thank you! And with you, Noah?
- NoahOok goed, bedankt.Also good, thanks.
- EmmaTot ziens!See you later!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries het, hoe, hoi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
