hey
“hey” means “hey” in Spanish (to get someone's attention).
hey
Also: yo, oi
📝 In Action
¡Hey, mira eso!
A1Hey, look at that!
Hey, ¿cómo estás?
A1Hey, how are you?
¡Hey! ¡Cuidado con el coche!
A2Hey! Watch out for the car!
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: hey
Question 1 of 1
You want to get your friend's attention from across a noisy room. Which is the MOST informal and common way to shout to them?
📚 More Resources
📚 Etymology▼
This is a direct borrowing from the English word 'hey'. It has become very common in Spanish, especially among younger people, because of the influence of movies, music, and the internet.
First recorded: Late 20th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'hey' the same as 'oye'?
They're very similar and often used in the same way to get someone's attention. 'Oye' literally means 'listen' and is a very traditional Spanish word. 'Hey' is a more modern borrowing from English. In a casual setting, you can use either one with a friend.
Do I need to use the upside-down exclamation mark (¡) with 'hey'?
Yes, in proper writing, Spanish requires an upside-down exclamation mark at the beginning of an exclamation: ¡Hey!. In very informal texting or social media, people sometimes leave it off, but it's best to learn the correct way.