interjection
Uncommon
hai
HEYE
Hai (interjection) means an informal greeting; a playful or stylized spelling of "hi.". Example: “She texted back "hai!" with a smiley face.”
interjection
1
An informal greeting; a playful or stylized spelling of "hi."
"She texted back "hai!" with a smiley face."
How to use hai
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual, playful way of writing "hi," popular in internet slang.
When to use it
Very informal; used mainly in text messages, chat, and online communities.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like hai.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She texted back "_____!" with a smiley face.
Etymology
A deliberate respelling of "hi," modeled on romanized Japanese spelling conventions.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for hai
See all rhymes for hai →Frequently asked questions
What does “hai” mean?
The word “hai” means an informal greeting; a playful or stylized spelling of "hi.". In plain terms, a casual, playful way of writing "hi," popular in internet slang.
How do you pronounce “hai”?
“Hai” is pronounced HEYE (/ˈhaɪ̯/ in IPA).
How do you use “hai” in a sentence?
Here is “hai” used in a sentence: “She texted back "hai!" with a smiley face.”
What part of speech is “hai”?
“Hai” is an interjection.
Where does the word “hai” come from?
The word “hai” comes from Japanese. A deliberate respelling of "hi," modeled on romanized Japanese spelling conventions.
Is “hai” a common word?
“Hai” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between hai and hi?
Hai is an informal, stylized spelling of "hi" used as a casual or playful greeting, most often seen in text messages, online chat, and internet culture. It carries the same friendly greeting function as "hi" but signals a more informal or exaggerated tone.
Is hai a real English word?
Hai is recognized informally as a playful variant spelling of the greeting "hi" rather than a standard dictionary greeting in its own right. It is understood in casual and online contexts but would not typically be used in formal writing.
Is hai used the same way as hi in a sentence?
Yes, hai functions the same way as hi, typically standing alone as a greeting at the start of a message or conversation. The difference is tone and register: hai reads as more casual or playful than the standard hi.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include hai:
