hoë

Hoë is an Afrikaans adjective meaning high, tall, or elevated. It describes physical height, extent, or intensity, and appears in phrases such as die hoë berge (the high mountains), hoë tempo (high tempo), and hoë pryse (high prices).

Spelling and pronunciation: Hoë is written with a diaeresis over the final e. The diaeresis marks that the vowels are pronounced in two syllables rather than as a single vowel sound, signaling a hiatus in two-vowel sequences. The form is a standard feature of Afrikaans orthography and helps distinguish pronunciation from other possible spellings.

Grammar and usage: In attributive position before a noun, Afrikaans adjectives commonly take an -e ending when the noun is definite or plural. Thus die hoë berge and die hoë pryse are typical examples. The word does not inflect for gender, and its use is tied to determiner placement and number in the noun phrase. In other contexts, speakers may choose different adjective forms according to the surrounding grammar, but the hoë form is the established standard in many definite constructions.

Origins and relation: Hoë is cognate with the Dutch hoog, and its Afrikaans spelling with the diaeresis reflects historical orthography that preserves distinct syllables in pronunciation. The word is widely used in everyday Afrikaans to express height, elevation, or intensity across a range of contexts, from physical geography to abstract measures such as prices or standards.

See also: Afrikaans language; Dutch orthography; diaeresis.