Word: hello (interjection)

Associations

"Hello" is a common greeting used to say "hi" to someone. It is friendly and informal.

• Example 1: When you meet a friend, you say, "Hello! How are you?" This shows you are happy to see them.
• Example 2: When you answer the phone, you might say, "Hello, this is John." This is a polite way to greet someone on the call.
• Example 3: In a classroom, a teacher might say, "Hello, class!" to get everyone's attention.

A well-known synonym for "hello" is "hi." The main difference is that "hi" is more casual and can be used among close friends, while "hello" is more formal and can be used in various situations.

Substitution

Instead of "hello," you could use:

• "Hi" - more casual.
• "Greetings" - more formal and can sound old-fashioned.
• "Hey" - very informal, often used among close friends.

Using these alternatives can change the tone of your greeting. For example, "Greetings" might sound stiff, while "Hey" feels very relaxed.

Deconstruction

The word "hello" does not have a prefix or suffix. It is believed to come from the earlier word "holla," which was used to attract attention.

Historically, "hello" became popular in the late 19th century, especially with the invention of the telephone. It was used as a way to greet someone on the line.

Inquiry

• When do you usually say "hello"? Is it always the same way?
• Can you think of a time when you used a different greeting instead of "hello"? What was the situation?
• How do you feel when someone greets you with "hello"? Does it change depending on who it is?