Meaning
Getting someone's attention informally.
Cultural Background
In Prague, 'Hele' is often used as a rhythmic filler. The 'Hele-vole' stereotype is a real cultural marker of the capital's youth and working class. While 'Hele' is understood and used, Moravians might more frequently use 'Aha' or 'Hleď' or other local variations. 'Hele' can sometimes sound 'too Bohemian' to a Moravian ear. Among teenagers, 'Hele' is often shortened even further in fast speech or used with specific rising intonation to express disbelief. In books, you will see 'Hle' used to introduce a dramatic revelation. It's the high-culture cousin of the street-slang 'Hele'.
The 'No' Buffer
Start your sentence with 'No hele...' to sound 100% more like a native speaker when you're about to explain something.
The Boss Rule
If you wouldn't hug them, don't 'Hele' them. Stick to 'Promiňte' for anyone in a position of authority.
Meaning
Getting someone's attention informally.
The 'No' Buffer
Start your sentence with 'No hele...' to sound 100% more like a native speaker when you're about to explain something.
The Boss Rule
If you wouldn't hug them, don't 'Hele' them. Stick to 'Promiňte' for anyone in a position of authority.
Eye Contact
When you say 'Hele!', make sure you are actually looking at the person or the object you want them to see.
Test Yourself
Which word is most appropriate to get your friend's attention to look at a cool car?
______, to je super auto!
'Hele' is the informal way to say 'Look!' or 'Hey!'.
Fill in the plural form of 'Hele' to address a group of friends.
______, lidi, poslouchejte mě!
'Heleďte' is the plural/group form of the attention-grabber.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
1. Hele! 2. Promiňte? 3. No hele...
'Hele' is for pointing, 'Promiňte' for strangers, and 'No hele' for fillers.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural slang word.
A: ______ , nevíš kde je moje pivo? B: Je v lednici, vole.
In a casual conversation involving 'vole', 'Hele' is the most natural fit.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use Hele
Friends
- • Pub
- • Park
- • Party
Family
- • Dinner
- • Home
- • Trips
Texting
- • SMS
- • Discord
Practice Bank
4 exercises______, to je super auto!
'Hele' is the informal way to say 'Look!' or 'Hey!'.
______, lidi, poslouchejte mě!
'Heleďte' is the plural/group form of the attention-grabber.
1. Hele! 2. Promiňte? 3. No hele...
'Hele' is for pointing, 'Promiňte' for strangers, and 'No hele' for fillers.
A: ______ , nevíš kde je moje pivo? B: Je v lednici, vole.
In a casual conversation involving 'vole', 'Hele' is the most natural fit.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt's not rude among friends, but it is very informal. Using it with a stranger or a boss is considered impolite.
Yes, but only with people you know well. It's a common way to start a new topic during a call.
'Hele' is the most common slang particle. 'Heleď' is the more grammatically 'correct' singular imperative, but it's less common in casual speech.
Yes, it's very common for parents to say 'Hele!' to get a child's attention.
The closest formal equivalent is 'Podívejte se' (Look) or 'Promiňte' (Excuse me).
It's a very common (though low-register) slang phrase in Prague. 'Vole' is a filler word like 'dude' or 'man'.
No, it often just means 'Hey' or 'Listen' and doesn't require the person to literally look at anything.
Absolutely! It's one of the most common ways to start an informal text.
The Czech 'H' is voiced, like the 'h' in 'ahead'. It's stronger than the English 'h'.
No, Slovaks use 'Aha' or 'Pozri'. 'Hele' is uniquely Czech.
Related Phrases
Podívej
similarLook
Koukej
similarLook / Watch out
Čum
slangStare / Gawk
Hle
specialized formBehold
Pozor
contrastAttention / Danger
No
builds onWell / So
