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oye

oye

4 9.9
A spoken call in Spanish used to get someone's attention
  • interjection
  • /ɔɪ/
  • Informal
translation icon : oye
  • Oye, how's Mary doing?
  • Oye, John

Examples

Synonyms

hey
vsoye
  • Informal
3.6

A short informal call to get someone's attention, greet, or show feelings such as surprise and annoyance

is the same attention purpose but tied to Spanish contexts
yoo
vsoye
  • Informal
30 9.9

A short shout people use to greet someone or get their attention

is used specifically in Spanish speaking situations to call attention
looky
vsoye
  • Informal
23 9.9

You say it to get someone to look at something you see

is broader, used to summon attention without indicating an object
yos
vsoye
  • Slang
5 9.9

A casual greeting shouted to say hello or get someone's attention

is the broader Spanish attention exclamation rather than English greeting
oyez
vsoye
  • Archaic
5 9.9

A loud call by a town crier or court officer to get attention

is the informal spoken attention call used in Spanish contexts
lookee
vsoye
  • Informal
4 9.9

A short word people say to get attention to something surprising or important

is aimed generally at getting someone's attention without pointing
hoy
vsoye
  • Archaic
3 9.9

A loud old-fashioned call to get someone's attention

is the modern Spanish attention call rather than a dated English exclamation
yoy
vsoye
  • Informal
2 9.9

An excited shout used to say hello to someone

is used to call attention too but with less excitement
holla
vsoye
  • Slang
2 9.9

A short, informal shout to greet someone or get attention

is more associated with Spanish speaking use than general English use
hola
vsoye
1 7.8

A friendly call to get someone's attention or say hello

is focused on calling attention rather than primarily greeting
woa
vsoye
  • Informal
1 9.9

A short shout showing surprise or asking for attention

is more neutral, mainly used simply to call attention
ope
vsoye
  • Slang
1 9.9

A short word people say when surprised, to say sorry, or to get attention

is more directly used to call attention in Spanish contexts
orale
vsoye
  • Slang
9.9

A short exclamation people say to get attention or greet someone

is the general Spanish attention call rather than English slang
hoi
vsoye
  • UK
9.9

A short shout to get attention, for example to show surprise or annoyance

is usually neutral in tone and simply requests attention

How Forceful

hey
  • Informal
3.6
oye
  • Informal
4 9.9
pardon me
159 1.0
psst
  • Informal
8 9.9

Surface Forms

oye main

Etymology

The word oye comes from the Spanish verb oír 'to hear' and from Latin audire 'to hear', the same root as English audio. So oye is used like 'hey' or 'listen' to get someone's attention.