Ways to say it
| Dutch | IPA |
|---|---|
| hoi | /ɦɔi̯/ |
| hi | /ɦɑi̯/ /ɦi/ |
The phrase is used as a friendly, informal greeting. While hoi is a traditional Dutch greeting used among friends and acquaintances, the English loanword hi is also used and is perceived as being more modern or international.
Which one should you use?
hoi is the traditional Dutch way to say hi, whereas hi is an English word that has been adopted into Dutch and feels more modern and international.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Both hoi and hi are informal. hoi is an informal greeting used among friends and acquaintances that is more casual than hallo. For a slightly more formal setting than these, you might use dag, which is a more casual variation of goedendag.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Antwerp dialect, the phrase schoene dag can be used as an informal greeting. In the West Flemish dialect, the word moi is an informal greeting that translates to "hi".
How do you pronounce it?
/ɦɔi̯/
Did you know?
- The traditional Dutch greeting hoi might actually be a relative of the English nautical term 'ahoy'.
Examples in context
- Hoi, ik ben Tom.Hi, I'm Tom.This sentence shows how to use hoi when introducing yourself.Tatoeba #9776132 by Raizin, translation #5576200 by CK
- Hoi, ik ben Nancy.Hi, I'm Nancy.Tatoeba #416151 by Dorenda, translation #11602771 by timmartin
- Hoi, hoe gaat het?Hi, how's it going?This sentence shows how to use hoi when asking how someone is doing.Tatoeba #481239 by Dorenda, translation #428407 by witbrock
- Hallo, hoe gaat het met jou?Hello, how are you?
- Hoi, lang niet gezien!Hi, long time no see!
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Levi meet in a sunny park.
- EmmaHoi, Levi!Hi, Levi!
- LeviHoi, Emma. Wat leuk je te zien.Hi, Emma. How nice to see you.
- EmmaHoe gaat het met jou?How are you doing?
- LeviGoed, dank je wel.Good, thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hi” translations and entries hoi, hi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hi, hoi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
