Finnish · Greetings & Phrases
Hei
Hello
Beginnerinterjection
Definition
The most common Finnish greeting, used at any time of day.
Example
Hei! Mitä kuuluu?
Hello! How are you?
Etymology
The word 'hei' is a common Finnish greeting believed to be derived from the Scandinavian interjection 'hej', which serves a similar purpose in various Nordic languages. Its adoption in Finnish can be traced back to the increasing influence of neighboring languages.
How & Where It’s Used
'Hei' is used informally and is typical in both spoken and written Finnish, primarily among friends or in casual settings. It is widely recognized across Finland without significant regional variation.