hēi: 嘿 - Hey, Hi, (sound of laughter)

Keywords: 嘿, hēi, Chinese for hey, Chinese for hi, Chinese interjection, Chinese laugh, what does hei mean in Chinese, how to use hei in Chinese, hey in Mandarin, 喂 vs 嘿, 哈哈 vs 嘿嘿.

Summary: 嘿 (hēi) is a versatile and common Chinese interjection, very similar to “hey” or “hi” in English. It's used to informally greet friends, get someone's attention, or express mild surprise. Crucially, when repeated as 嘿嘿 (hēihēi), it becomes an onomatopoeia for a knowing, mischievous, or slightly goofy laugh, like “hehe.” This page explores the practical uses of 嘿, from casual greetings in conversation to its popular use as a form of laughter in modern Chinese texting and social media.

Pinyin (with tone marks): hēi

Part of Speech: Interjection, Onomatopoeia

HSK Level: N/A

Concise Definition: An informal interjection used to greet, call for attention, or show surprise; also represents a chuckle.

In a Nutshell: Think of 嘿 (hēi) as the Chinese equivalent of a casual “Hey!” It's the sound you make when you spot a friend across the street, want to start a quick chat, or notice something unexpected. It's friendly, informal, and all about context. When you see it doubled, 嘿嘿 (hēihēi), it's the written sound of a sly or happy chuckle, often used in text messages.

How they combine: The “mouth” radical tells you this character represents a sound you make, while the “black” character tells you how to pronounce it: “hēi”. The meaning of “black” itself does not contribute to the meaning of 嘿.

While 嘿 (hēi) doesn't carry deep philosophical weight, its usage is a key indicator of modern, informal Chinese communication. Its adoption mirrors the global trend towards more casual interactions, especially in digital spaces.

The Laughter of 嘿嘿 (hēihēi): The most significant cultural nuance comes from its use as laughter. Unlike the straightforward, hearty laugh of 哈哈 (hāhā), 嘿嘿 (hēihēi) is more subtle. It often implies a sense of coyness, mischief, or a slightly nerdy, self-satisfied chuckle. It's the laugh of someone who just played a clever prank, is feeling a bit shy, or is teasing a friend. It's a staple of online chatting and adds a layer of personality that a simple “haha” might lack.

Formality Fail: The biggest mistake is using 嘿 (hēi) in a formal situation. Do not greet a professor, an elder you're meeting for the first time, or a business client with “嘿”. Use the proper 你好 (nǐ hǎo) or 您好 (nín hǎo).

喂 (wèi) - The interjection used for answering the phone or calling out to a stranger; the “hello” of phone calls.

嗨 (hāi) - A direct loanword from the English “Hi”. It's used in the exact same casual contexts as 嘿 and they are often interchangeable.

你好 (nǐ hǎo) - The standard, all-purpose “hello”. It's more formal than 嘿.

哈哈 (hāhā) - Onomatopoeia for a hearty, genuine laugh (“haha”).

呵呵 (hēhē) - A light chuckle that can be interpreted as sarcastic or dismissive in online contexts.

哟 (yō) - A common interjection to express surprise, similar to “Whoa!” or “Oh!”.

哎呀 (āiyā) - A versatile exclamation to show surprise, frustration, pain, or sympathy.

打招呼 (dǎ zhāohu) - The verb “to greet” or “to say hello”. You can use 嘿 to 打招呼.