how to pronounce hi

/ˈhaɪ/

audio example by a male speaker

audio example by a female speaker

the above transcription of hi is a detailed (narrow) transcription according to the rules of the International Phonetic Association; you can find a description of each symbol by clicking the phoneme buttons in the secction below.

hi is pronounced in one syllable

press buttons with phonetic symbols to learn how to precisely pronounce each sound of hi

1. example pitch curve for pronunciation of hi

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video examples of hi pronunciation

An example use of hi in a speech by a native speaker of american english:

“… store for us today hi my name is Sofia …”

meanings of hi

interjection:

Expressing wonder or derision.
A friendly, informal, casual greeting said upon someone's arrival.
An exclamation to call attention.

name:

A male given name, a short form of Hiram.
Abbreviation of Hawaii.

noun:

The word "hi" used as a greeting.
Initialism of hyperspectral imaging.

adjective:

Informal spelling of high, often hyphenated.

hi frequency in english - B1 level of CEFR

the word hi occurs in english on average 36 times per one million words; this frequency warrants it to be in the study list for B1 level of language mastery according to CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference.