Inklingo

How to Say "hey!" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “hey!” is “oiga” — use this when you want to politely get the attention of a stranger or someone you don't know well, similar to 'Excuse me!'.

oiga🔊A1

Use this when you want to politely get the attention of a stranger or someone you don't know well, similar to 'Excuse me!'

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eh🔊A1

Use this informally to get someone's attention or to confirm something, often used at the end of a sentence like a tag question.

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oigan🔊A2

Use this when addressing a group of people you want to interrupt or call out to, functioning like 'Hey everyone!' or 'Listen up!'

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oyes🔊B1

Use this as an informal attention-grabber when speaking to someone you know well, similar to 'Hey, listen...' or 'So...'

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ce🔊C1

Use this specifically when you need to strongly call someone's attention, especially if they are not responding to you, like 'Hey! Are you listening?'

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mírateB1

Use this to express surprise or admiration when getting someone's attention, often to point out an achievement or a surprising state, like 'Wow!' or 'Look at you!'

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señoresB1

Use this when addressing a group of unknown people in public, especially in a formal or authoritative context, like 'Ladies and gentlemen!' or 'Folks!'

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English → Spanish

oiga

oi-gaˈo.i.ɣa

InterjectionA1informal
Use this when you want to politely get the attention of a stranger or someone you don't know well, similar to 'Excuse me!'
A polite person gently taps a busy, unsuspecting person on the shoulder to gain their attention in a public setting.

Examples

¡Oiga! ¿Me puede decir dónde está la estación de metro?

Excuse me! Could you tell me where the subway station is?

Oiga, eso no es cierto. Yo lo vi con mis propios ojos.

Listen, that's not true. I saw it with my own eyes.

A Polite Way to Interrupt

Using '¡Oiga!' is a very common and neutral way to interrupt a formal conversation or approach a stranger without being rude. It directly addresses the person formally (usted).

eh

eye

InterjectionA1informal
Use this informally to get someone's attention or to confirm something, often used at the end of a sentence like a tag question.
A child pointing at a bright rainbow and looking back at their friend with an expectant expression, seeking confirmation or agreement.

Examples

Hace un día bonito, ¿eh?

It's a beautiful day, right?

¡Eh, cuidado con el escalón!

Hey, watch out for the step!

No lo volverás a hacer, ¿eh?

You won't do that again, will you?

oigan

OY-gahnˈoi.ɣan

InterjectionA2informal
Use this when addressing a group of people you want to interrupt or call out to, functioning like 'Hey everyone!' or 'Listen up!'
A storybook illustration showing one figure standing on a small mound, cupping their hands around their mouth and shouting loudly to demand attention. Three other figures in the distance are stopping their activities and turning their heads toward the shouter.

Examples

¡Oigan! Necesito su ayuda con este proyecto.

Listen! I need your help with this project (addressing a group).

Oigan, ¿quién dejó la luz encendida?

Hey, who left the light on?

Oigan bien lo que voy a decir.

Listen closely to what I'm going to say.

A Command for 'You All'

This word is a command telling a group of people ('ustedes' or 'you all') to listen. It is taken from a special verb form (the subjunctive) often used for wishes and commands.

Formal Plural Command

When giving a command to a group using the 'ustedes' form, Spanish uses the form that normally goes with 'ellos/ellas' in the present subjunctive. In this case, it's the command form of the verb oír (to hear).

oyes

OH-yesˈo.ʝes

InterjectionB1informal
Use this as an informal attention-grabber when speaking to someone you know well, similar to 'Hey, listen...' or 'So...'
A colorful illustration showing a person who was walking away suddenly stopping and turning their head sharply back over their shoulder, indicating they have been called and their attention has been grabbed.

Examples

Oyes, ¿viste lo que pasó ayer en la plaza?

Hey, did you see what happened yesterday in the square?

¡Oyes! Necesito contarte algo muy importante.

Listen! I need to tell you something very important.

Using the Verb as a Call

While oye is the formal command (used with usted), oyes is often used informally as a simple attention getter, especially in Spain and parts of Latin America, similar to saying 'You know what?' in English.

ce

sehθe

InterjectionC1informal
Use this specifically when you need to strongly call someone's attention, especially if they are not responding to you, like 'Hey! Are you listening?'
A person waving their hand to get someone's attention.

Examples

¡Ce! ¿No me oyes?

Hey! Don't you hear me?

Me llamó con un suave 'ce' desde la esquina.

He called me with a soft 'psst' from the corner.

Attention Grabber

This word functions as a sound to quickly grab someone's attention, similar to 'hey' or 'psst'.

Confusion with 'Sé'

Mistake: “¡Sé! Ven aquí.”

Correction: ¡Ce! Ven aquí. ('Sé' means 'I know' or 'be', it is not used to call people).

mírate

InterjectionB1informal
Use this to express surprise or admiration when getting someone's attention, often to point out an achievement or a surprising state, like 'Wow!' or 'Look at you!'

Examples

¡Mírate! Has terminado la carrera en primer lugar.

Wow! You finished the race in first place.

señores

InterjectionB1formal/public
Use this when addressing a group of unknown people in public, especially in a formal or authoritative context, like 'Ladies and gentlemen!' or 'Folks!'

Examples

¡Señores! Por favor, mantengan la calma y sigan las instrucciones.

Folks! Please stay calm and follow the instructions.

Choosing between 'Oiga' and 'Oyes'

The most common confusion is between 'oiga' (formal/stranger) and 'oyes' (informal/friend). Remember 'oiga' is for getting the attention of someone you don't know, like 'Excuse me!', while 'oyes' is for friends, like 'Hey, did you see...?'

Related Translations

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