When you hear something new or surprising, you can say へえ (hee). It's like saying "Oh, really?" or "Wow!" in English.
For example, if someone tells you, "I'm going to Japan next month!" you can respond with へえ! to show you're interested and surprised.
It's a useful word to sound more natural when you're listening to someone speak.
When you hear something new or surprising, you can say 「へえ！」 (hee). It’s like saying "Oh, really?" or "Wow!" in English. It shows you're paying attention and interested in what the other person is saying. It can also be used to express admiration, similar to "Impressive!" or "Cool!" in casual conversation. Remember, it's a versatile interjection for expressing mild surprise or acknowledgment.
When someone says something unexpected or shares an interesting piece of information, you can use 「へえ」 (hee) to show your surprise or admiration. It’s like saying "Oh, really?" or "Wow!" in English.
For example, if a friend tells you, 「昨日、東京タワーに登ったんだ。」 (Kinō, Tōkyō Tawā ni nobottan da. - "Yesterday, I climbed Tokyo Tower."), you could respond with 「へえ！」 (Hee!) to express your surprise and interest.
This interjection is quite versatile and can be used in many casual conversations. It shows that you’re engaged and listening to the other person, making it a great way to participate actively in a discussion.
While it’s generally informal, 「へえ」 isn't rude; it just means you're reacting naturally to new information. So, feel free to use it when you encounter something surprising or noteworthy.
When someone says something new or surprising, you can say 「へえ！」 to show you're interested or impressed. It's like saying, "Oh, really?" or "Wow!" in English. It's a common and natural way to react in conversation. You can use it when you hear something unexpected, or when you learn something new and find it interesting. It's a versatile expression that adds a touch of friendliness to your Japanese conversations. Think of it as a conversational filler that shows you're engaged with what the other person is saying.
§ Understanding へえ (Hee)
- Japanese Word
- へえ (Hee)
- Definition
- Oh, really? (expression of surprise or admiration)
- CEFR Level
- B1
When you're learning Japanese, you'll quickly notice how important it is to react appropriately in conversations. へえ (hee) is one of those incredibly useful words that native speakers use all the time. It's a simple, short sound, but it carries a lot of meaning. Think of it as the Japanese equivalent of saying "Oh, really?" "Wow," or "Is that so?" in English.
At its core, へえ is an interjection used to express mild surprise, new discovery, or agreement. It shows that you're paying attention and that what the other person said caught your interest. It's a key part of active listening in Japanese, and using it correctly will make your conversations much more natural.
§ When to Use へえ
You'll hear and use へえ in a variety of everyday situations. Here are the main ones:
- Expressing mild surprise: When someone tells you something you didn't know or something that's a bit unexpected.
- Showing interest or acknowledgement: When you want to indicate that you're listening and engaged in the conversation.
- Confirming understanding (informally): Sometimes it can be used to acknowledge information, similar to "I see."
- Admiration: If someone shares something impressive, へえ can convey a sense of admiration.
It's generally an informal expression, best used among friends, family, or people you have a casual relationship with. While it's not rude, in very formal settings, you might opt for more formal expressions of surprise or acknowledgement, such as そうですか (sou desu ka) or 存じませんでした (zonjimasen desu deshita).
§ Examples in Context
Let's look at some practical examples to see how へえ is used in real conversations.
A: 昨日、富士山に登ったんだ。
B: へえ、すごいね！
Translation hint: A: Yesterday, I climbed Mount Fuji. B: Oh, really, that's amazing!
A: このお店、最近オープンしたんだよ。
B: へえ、知らなかった。
Translation hint: A: This shop just opened recently. B: Oh, really, I didn't know that.
A: 来週、京都へ旅行に行くんだ。
B: へえ、いいなあ。
Translation hint: A: Next week, I'm going on a trip to Kyoto. B: Oh, really, that sounds nice.
Mastering words like へえ will significantly improve your fluency and make you sound more like a native speaker. It’s a small word with a big impact on your conversational flow. Practice using it whenever you hear something new or interesting in your Japanese conversations.
재미있는 사실
The modern usage as an expression of surprise or admiration developed over time from its original use as a simple acknowledgement.
수준별 예문
へえ、そうなの？
Oh, is that so?
へえ、すごいね！
Wow, that's amazing!
へえ、知らなかった。
Oh, I didn't know that.
へえ、おもしろい！
Oh, that's interesting!
へえ、日本に行ったんだ。
Oh, you went to Japan.
へえ、料理ができるんだ。
Oh, you can cook.
へえ、そんなことあるんだ。
Oh, that kind of thing happens.
へえ、もう終わったの？
Oh, it's already finished?
へえ、それはすごいですね！
Oh, that's amazing!
へえ、そんなこと知らなかったです。
Oh, I didn't know that.
へえ、このお店、前はなかったですよね？
Oh, this store wasn't here before, was it?
へえ、日本語が上手になりましたね。
Oh, your Japanese has gotten good.
へえ、もう夏休みなんですね。
Oh, it's already summer vacation.
へえ、そのニュースは知らなかったです。
Oh, I didn't know that news.
へえ、こんなに美味しい料理があるなんて。
Oh, there's such delicious food like this.
へえ、彼はもう日本にいるんですか。
Oh, he's already in Japan?
へえ、知らなかった！
Oh, I didn't know!
へえ、そうなんだ！
Oh, is that so!
へえ、面白いね！
Oh, that's interesting!
へえ、すごいね！
Oh, that's amazing!
へえ、そんなことあったんだ！
Oh, that kind of thing happened!
へえ、意外だね。
Oh, that's surprising.
へえ、君もそう思うんだ。
Oh, you think so too.
へえ、それは大変だったね。
Oh, that must have been tough.
へえ、そんなに早く終わったの？すごいね。
Wow, you finished that fast? That's amazing.
へえ、君も猫好きなんだ。私もだよ。
Oh, really? You like cats too? So do I.
へえ、そのアイデアは面白いね。試してみる価値はあるよ。
Hmm, that's an interesting idea. It's worth trying.
へえ、彼がそんな才能を持っていたなんて知らなかったよ。
Oh, I didn't know he had such talent.
へえ、この料理は初めて食べるけど、美味しいね。
Wow, I've never had this dish before, but it's delicious.
へえ、そんな遠くまで旅行したんだ。どんな感じだった？
Oh, really? You traveled that far? How was it?
へえ、彼女がそんなに早く昇進したなんて驚きだね。
Wow, it's surprising that she got promoted so quickly.
へえ、このお店、こんなに人気があるんだ。知らなかった。
Oh, this shop is so popular? I had no idea.
자주 혼동되는 단어
A very casual 'yes' or acknowledgment, typically used among close friends or family. More informal than 'はい' or 'ええ'.
A very casual 'no', also used among close friends or family. More informal than 'いいえ'.
This word from the prompt means 'Oh, really?' or 'Wow!', expressing surprise or admiration. It's different from simple agreement or understanding because it conveys a reaction to new or interesting information.
혼동하기 쉬운
While often taught as simply 'yes', it has many nuances beyond a simple affirmation.
It can mean agreement, acknowledgment, understanding, or even just 'I'm listening'. It's not always a direct 'yes' to a question.
先生: 宿題は終わりましたか？ (Sensei: Did you finish your homework?) 生徒: はい、終わりました。 (Seito: Hai, I finished it.) - Here it means 'Yes'. 電話の相手: もしもし？ (Denwa no aite: Hello?) 自分: はい、もしもし。 (Jibun: Hai, hello.) - Here it's an acknowledgment of hearing someone.
Similar to 'はい', it also means 'yes' but with subtle differences in formality and nuance.
It's a softer, more casual way to say 'yes' compared to 'はい'. Often used in everyday conversation or when you're agreeing with someone less formally.
友達: これ、美味しいね。 (Tomodachi: This is delicious, isn't it?) 自分: ええ、美味しいね。 (Jibun: Ee, it's delicious, isn't it?) - A casual agreement.
The direct opposite of 'はい', meaning 'no', but can feel abrupt or overly direct in some situations.
It's a strong negation. In Japanese culture, direct 'no's are sometimes avoided, so alternatives like 'ちょっと…' (chotto...) or indirect phrasing are often preferred.
店員: 袋はご入用ですか？ (Ten'in: Do you need a bag?) 客: いいえ、結構です。 (Kyaku: Iie, kekkou desu.) - 'No, I'm fine (without one).' 友達: 週末、暇？ (Tomodachi: Are you free this weekend?) 自分: いいえ、ちょっと予定があります。 (Jibun: Iie, I have plans.) - A direct 'no' followed by an explanation.
This versatile word can mean 'that's right', 'I see', 'really', or even be used as a filler, making its exact meaning dependent on context and intonation.
It's often used to confirm understanding, express agreement, or show that you're processing information. The way it's said (rising or falling intonation) changes its meaning.
A: 明日は雨らしいよ。 (Ashita wa ame rashii yo. - It seems like it's going to rain tomorrow.) B: そう。 (Sou. - Oh, really? / Is that so?) - Expressing mild surprise or understanding. A: 彼は学生です。 (Kare wa gakusei desu. - He is a student.) B: そうですか。 (Sou desu ka. - Is that so? / I see.) - Seeking confirmation or showing understanding.
Often translated as 'I see' or 'I understand', but it carries a connotation of new understanding or realization, not just simple acknowledgment.
It's used when you gain new insight or a sudden understanding of something. It's more about 'now I get it' rather than just 'I hear you'.
先生: この文法は、このように使います。 (Sensei: This grammar point is used in this way.) 生徒: なるほど！ (Seito: Naruhodo! - I see!/Aha, now I understand!) - Expressing new understanding.
어원
From 'へ' (he) meaning 'to' or 'towards' and 'え' (e) an interjection.
원래 의미: Originally an interjection of agreement or a call for attention.
Japonic문화적 맥락
When someone says 'へえ', it's a polite and common way to show you're paying attention and are interested in what they're saying. It's often used as a filler or a conversation starter, indicating engagement without necessarily expressing strong emotions.
셀프 테스트 60 질문
A: こんにちは！ B: ___、こんにちは！
This exercise is designed to help learners understand how 'へえ' can be used as a casual greeting or acknowledgment, showing a mild surprise or simply an informal response to someone initiating a conversation. The context of 'こんにちは' (hello) from both speakers sets up a common, everyday interaction where 'へえ' fits naturally.
A: これは新しいです。 B: ___、そうですか。
This exercise introduces 'へえ' in a context where it conveys a slight surprise or interest when presented with new information. 'これは新しいです' (This is new) is a simple statement, and 'へえ、そうですか' (Oh, really?) is a common, natural response, helping learners associate 'へえ' with reacting to novelties.
A: 日本語を勉強します。 B: ___、すごい！
Here, 'へえ' is used to express admiration or pleasant surprise. '日本語を勉強します' (I study Japanese) is a common piece of information shared by learners, and responding with 'へえ、すごい！' (Oh, really, that's amazing!) demonstrates how 'へえ' can be used to show enthusiasm and positive reactions.
A: これはおいしいです。 B: ___。
This exercise shows 'へえ' as a simple, direct response to a statement of fact or opinion, particularly when it's something positive like 'これはおいしいです' (This is delicious). It teaches learners that 'へえ' can be a stand-alone interjection to acknowledge and show interest in what's being said.
A: 学生です。 B: ___。
This exercise provides a basic Q&A scenario where 'へえ' acts as a simple acknowledgement. When someone states '学生です' (I am a student), 'へえ' is a polite and natural way to show you heard and registered the information, reinforcing its use in everyday conversation.
A: 犬がいます。 B: ___、かわいい。
This exercise combines 'へえ' with an adjective of admiration. '犬がいます' (I have a dog) is a common, relatable statement, and 'へえ、かわいい' (Oh, really, cute!) demonstrates how 'へえ' can precede an appreciative remark, making the response more natural and expressive.
Someone just said something impressive. How would you react?
You've just learned a new piece of information. What's your response?
Someone told you something interesting. How do you show you're listening?
Read this aloud:
へえ、いいですね。
Focus: The 'h' sound and the two 'e' sounds.
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
へえ、知らなかったです。
Focus: The 'sh' sound in 'shiranakatta'.
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
へえ、また教えてください。
Focus: The 'tsu' sound in 'oshiete'.
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
A: 「新しいラーメン屋さん、すごく美味しいよ。」 B: 「___、今度行ってみるね！」
「へえ」は、相手の言葉に対する軽い驚きや感心を表すときに使います。
A: 「この猫、実は芸ができるんだよ。」 B: 「___、すごいね！」
相手が言ったことに対して「そうなんだ、驚いた」という気持ちを込めて「へえ」を使います。
A: 「週末は富士山に登ったんだ。」 B: 「___、それは大変だったでしょう。」
相手の行動や情報に対して感心や驚きを示すときに「へえ」が適切です。
A: 「このカメラ、防水なんだよ。」 B: 「___、便利だね！」
何か新しい情報や機能を知って、感心したときに「へえ」を使います。
A: 「来月から大阪に転勤になったんだ。」 B: 「___、おめでとう！」
相手からの報告に対して、驚きや感心を示す時に「へえ」を使うのが自然です。
A: 「日本には四つの大きな島があるんだよ。」 B: 「___、知らなかった！」
新しい事実を知り、軽い驚きを表す場合に「へえ」を使います。
Someone just shared some impressive news.
You're hearing new information.
Someone said something interesting.
Read this aloud:
へえ、日本語がお上手ですね。
Focus: The 'h' sound and the prolonged 'e' in 'hee'
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
へえ、沖縄に行ったことがあるんですか？
Focus: The light 'h' sound and the double 'e' vowel.
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
へえ、私も試してみたいです。
Focus: The 'h' sound and the clear 'e' vowel.
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine your friend tells you they just won a small lottery prize. Write a short response expressing surprise and happiness using 'へえ'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
へえ、すごい！おめでとうございます！ (Oh, really? Amazing! Congratulations!)
You hear that a new, interesting cafe has opened near your house. Write a short sentence expressing mild surprise and interest.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
へえ、新しいカフェがオープンしたんですね。 (Oh, really? A new cafe opened, huh?)
Your colleague mentions they learned to play a musical instrument during their lunch break. Write a simple sentence showing surprise and a bit of admiration.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
へえ、お昼休みに楽器を練習しているんですか。すごいですね！ (Oh, really? You practice an instrument during your lunch break? That's amazing!)
What does B's 'へえ' indicate in this conversation?
Read this passage:
A: 田中さん、先週末に富士山に登りましたよ。B: へえ、それはすごいですね！天気が良かったですか？
What does B's 'へえ' indicate in this conversation?
B uses 'へえ' to show surprise and admiration that A climbed Mount Fuji. The following phrase 'それはすごいですね！' reinforces this.
B uses 'へえ' to show surprise and admiration that A climbed Mount Fuji. The following phrase 'それはすごいですね！' reinforces this.
What is B's reaction to A's statement?
Read this passage:
A: このレストランの料理は全部オーガニックだそうです。B: へえ、知りませんでした。健康的ですね。
What is B's reaction to A's statement?
B's 'へえ、知りませんでした' clearly indicates surprise and that this is new information to them. They then comment positively on it being healthy.
B's 'へえ、知りませんでした' clearly indicates surprise and that this is new information to them. They then comment positively on it being healthy.
What does B's response tell us about their understanding?
Read this passage:
A: 私の犬は、言葉をいくつか理解できるんですよ。B: へえ、本当ですか？どんな言葉ですか？
What does B's response tell us about their understanding?
The 'へえ、本当ですか？' shows surprise, and 'どんな言葉ですか？' indicates a desire for more information, confirming their interest and surprise.
The 'へえ、本当ですか？' shows surprise, and 'どんな言葉ですか？' indicates a desire for more information, confirming their interest and surprise.
Choose the most appropriate response using 「へえ」 in this situation: Friend: 「昨日、富士山に登ったんだ！」(Yesterday, I climbed Mt. Fuji!)
「へえ」 is used to express surprise or admiration. In this context, climbing Mt. Fuji is impressive, so expressing admiration with 「すごいね」 is fitting.
Which sentence correctly uses 「へえ」 to show mild interest or acknowledgement?
「へえ、そうなんだ」 is a common phrase to show mild interest or to acknowledge new information. The other options are asking questions directly, not primarily showing interest in new information.
Select the scenario where using 「へえ」 would be natural:
「へえ」 is used to express surprise or interest when hearing new, often unexpected, information. Unexpected vacation plans would fit this perfectly.
「へえ」 can be used to express strong disbelief or skepticism.
While it can express surprise, 「へえ」 generally conveys genuine interest or admiration, not strong disbelief or skepticism. For disbelief, other phrases like 「まさか」 (no way) or 「うそ」 (lie/no kidding) would be more appropriate.
It is always appropriate to use 「へえ」 in formal business settings.
「へえ」 is a casual expression. While sometimes acceptable, it's generally too informal for strict business settings. More formal acknowledgements like 「さようでございますか」 or a simple nod would be preferred.
When someone says something exciting or surprising, responding with 「へえ」 can show you are engaged in the conversation.
Using 「へえ」 shows that you are listening and reacting to what the speaker is saying, indicating engagement and interest.
昨日、新しいプロジェクトの企画書が承認されたんだ。___、これで一歩前進だね。
文脈から、相手の言葉に対する軽い驚きや感嘆のニュアンスが必要なので「へえ」が適切です。
彼女、来月からニューヨーク支社に転勤するんだって。___、すごい出世だね。
相手の言った内容に対する感嘆や驚きを表すので「へえ」が適切です。
この絵、実は有名な画家の初期の作品らしいよ。___、そうだったんだ。
新しい情報に対して軽い驚きや納得の気持ちを示すので「へえ」が合っています。
あのレストラン、予約がなかなか取れないらしいよ。___、人気なんだね。
相手の言葉を受けて、その情報に少し驚きつつ納得する様子を表すのに「へえ」が最適です。
彼、実は独学でプログラミングを習得したんだって。___、努力家だね。
相手から聞いた情報に感心し、その内容に驚く場面なので「へえ」が適切です。
このコーヒー、希少な豆を使っているから一杯3000円もするんだ。___、それはすごいね。
値段を聞いて驚きと感嘆を表すため「へえ」が自然な表現です。
Choose the most appropriate response using 「へえ」 in this situation: Your friend tells you they've decided to quit their stable job to travel the world.
「すごいね」 (sugoi ne) expresses admiration or amazement, which is fitting for a surprising and bold decision.
Which of the following phrases best conveys genuine surprise and interest after hearing an unexpected piece of information?
「本当に？」 (hontou ni?) combined with an invitation for more detail shows genuine surprise and interest.
Someone just told you they baked a cake from scratch for the first time, and it turned out perfectly. How would you most naturally react using 「へえ」?
This response combines surprise (初めてで) with admiration (すごいね) for their achievement, which perfectly suits the context of へえ.
「へえ」 can be used to express mild disappointment.
「へえ」 primarily conveys surprise or admiration. Disappointment would typically be expressed with other phrases.
When someone shares a piece of highly anticipated news, responding with a flat 「へえ」 can sometimes be perceived as underwhelmed or uninterested.
While 「へえ」 expresses surprise or admiration, a flat tone can indeed imply a lack of genuine interest, especially for anticipated news.
「へえ」 is a highly formal expression used in business meetings.
「へえ」 is an informal expression and would generally be inappropriate in a formal business setting.
Someone is expressing surprise and admiration.
Someone is reacting to new information with surprise.
Someone is acknowledging an interesting story.
Read this aloud:
へえ、そうなんですね。
Focus: hee-eh
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
へえ、よくできましたね！
Focus: hee-eh, yoku dekimashita ne
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
へえ、知らなかったです。
Focus: hee-eh, shiranakatta desu
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence uses へえ to express surprise and asks about a trip to Hokkaido.
This sentence expresses surprise at someone speaking Japanese, followed by admiration.
This sentence uses へえ to react with surprise to news about someone starting a new company.
/ 60 correct
Perfect score!
관련 콘텐츠
이 단어를 다른 언어로
관련 표현
emotions 관련 단어
ぼんやり
B1Vaguely; absentmindedly; dimly.
夢中
B1Absorption; engrossment; infatuation.
受け止める
B1To accept; to take; to grasp.
達成感
B1Sense of accomplishment.
ひしひしと
B1Acutely; keenly; strongly (feeling something).
適応する
B1To adapt; to adjust.
健気な
B2Brave, admirable, or plucky (especially of a weaker person).
感心な
B1Admirable; deserving admiration.
感心
B1Admiration, impression, or being impressed.
感心する
B1To be impressed; to admire.
