おい
oi[o̞i]
The Japanese phrase おい means "hey" or "oi".
おい is an informal exclamation used to get someone's attention or to express surprise. It can function as a way to say "hey" or "listen". It is often used by men to get the attention of someone they are familiar with or to express irritation.
Which one should you use?
While おい can be used to get attention, it is much more blunt and less polite than using a person's name or a phrase like sumimasen.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
This phrase is highly informal and can sound rude or aggressive depending on the tone used.
How do you pronounce it?
oi
Did you know?
- If you use おい to a stranger, you might be perceived as starting a physical confrontation. It is often used in anime or films to signal that a character is about to be scolded or challenged.
- While おい is a common way to shout 'hey', it is strictly associated with masculine speech. Women rarely use this specific exclamation to get attention, as it carries a heavy, rough connotation.
- Even though it sounds similar to the Portuguese greeting 'oi', there is absolutely no linguistic connection between the Japanese exclamation and the Portuguese word for 'hi'.
Examples in context
- Oi, genki ka? (おい、元気か？)Hey, how are you doing?
- おい、ちょっと待って！Oi, chotto matte!Hey, wait a minute!
- おい、何してるんだ？Oi, nani shiteru n da?Hey, what are you doing?
- おい！危ないぞ！Oi! Abunai zo!Hey! That's dangerous!
Example conversation
A young man sees a girl walking toward a puddle.
- 陽太 Yotaおい、陽葵！Oi, Himari!Hey, Himari!
- 陽葵 Himariえっ、どうしたの？E, doushita no?Eh, what's wrong?
- 陽太 Yota足元が危ないよ。Ashimoto ga abunai yo.Watch your step.
- 陽葵 Himariあ、本当だ。ありがとう。A, hontou da. Arigatou.Ah, you're right. Thanks.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry おい, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries おい, CC BY-SA 4.0.
