Usage Note
Hoy! is the everyday Filipino exclamation for getting someone's attention, similar to 'Hey!' in English. Tone determines meaning — a sharp Hoy! is a reprimand, while a drawn-out Hoy can be a friendly greeting — but using it with a stranger or an elder can come across as rude.
Examples
" Hoy! Halika dito! "
Natural Translation
Hey! Come here!
Literal Translation
Hey! Come here!
" Hoy! Nakalimutan mo ang iyong bag! "
Natural Translation
Hey! You forgot your bag!
Literal Translation
Hey! Forgot you the your bag!
" Hoy! Ingat ka sa pagtawid ng kalsada dahil ang bilis ng mga sasakyan dito sa kanto. "
Natural Translation
Hey! Be careful crossing the street because the cars here at the corner are so fast.
Literal Translation
Hey! Careful you in crossing of street because the fast of [pl] vehicles here at-the corner.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
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