hej

Hej is a common informal greeting in Danish and Swedish, and it is widely understood in Norwegian-speaking contexts as well. In both Swedish and Danish, hej means “hello” and is used in everyday conversation, on the phone, and in written communication such as emails and texts. It can appear alone or be followed by a name or pronoun, as in “Hej, Anna!” or “Hej på er.”

Pronunciation in practice is roughly like the English word “hey,” with language-specific nuances in tone and rhythm. The spelling is identical in Swedish and Danish, though regional pronunciation differs. The word’s exact historical origin is not definitively established, but it emerged as a casual greeting in the Scandinavian languages in the modern era and shares a general Germanic lineage with greetings that express attention or well-wishing.

Variations and formality: In more formal contexts, speakers may opt for greetings such as “God dag” in Danish or Swedish, or other time-specific phrases like “God morgon” (Swedish) or “Godaften” (Danish) depending on the time of day. In Norwegian, the neighboring variant most commonly used is “hei,” though “hej” is still understood through cross-border contact and media.

Usage notes: Because hej is informal, it is typically used among friends, colleagues in casual settings, and online communication. It is less common in formal writing or business introductions, where more formal greetings are preferred.