joepie
/ˈju.pi/
The English phrase "yay" can be expressed in Dutch as joepie.
joepie is an expression used to convey happiness.
Meaning: an expression of happiness (intj)
Which one should you use?
Hiep hiep hoera! is a playful and cheerful informal expression used during birthday celebrations.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable. It is pronounced /ˈju.pi/.
Did you know?
- In Dutch, the word joepie can sometimes carry a slightly patronizing or ironic tone if used by an adult to mock someone else's excitement.
- In the Netherlands, hiep hiep hoera is not just said but chanted, where a crowd shouts hiep hiep and the birthday person or honoree responds with a loud hoera.
- The exclamation hoera! is the standard Dutch way to say 'hurray' and is often used more spontaneously in adult conversation than the more childish joepie.
Examples in context
- Hoera! Je hebt je diploma gehaald!Yay! You've earned your diploma!
- Hiep hiep hoera! Van harte gefeliciteerd met je verjaardag!Yay! Congratulations on your birthday!
- Hoera! Ik ben aangenomen bij mijn droombaan!Yay! I got hired for my dream job!
- Joepie, we gaan naar het strand!Yay, we are going to the beach!
- Joepie, ik heb een cadeautje!Yay, I got a little present!
- Joepie, het is bijna weekend!Yay, it is almost the weekend!
Example conversation
Two friends are celebrating the end of their school week.
- NoahJoepie, het is vrijdag!Yay, it is Friday!
- EmmaJa, eindelijk weekend voor ons!Yes, finally the weekend for us!
- NoahGa je veel leuke dingen doen?Are you going to do many fun things?
- EmmaIk ga lekker uitrusten, Noah.I am going to relax, Noah.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yay” translations and entries joepie, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
