ねえ

ねえ
interjection
hey, right?, isn't it
informalexpression
1. hey, say
Used to get someone's attention or call out to them.
ねえ、ちょっと聞(き)いて。
Hey, listen for a sec.
ねえ、一緒(いっしょ)に行(い)かない？
Hey, want to go together?
ねえ、見(み)て見(み)て！
Hey, look look!
ねえ、今(いま)何(なに)してる？
Hey, what are you doing now?
ねえ、お願(ねが)いがあるんだけど。
Hey, I have a favor to ask.
2. right?, isn't it?, don't you think?
Sentence-final particle seeking agreement or confirmation from the listener.
今日(きょう)は暑(あつ)いねえ。
It's hot today, isn't it?
この映画(えいが)、面白(おもしろ)かったねえ。
This movie was interesting, wasn't it?
美味(おい)しいねえ。
It's delicious, isn't it?
大変(たいへん)だったねえ。
That must have been tough, huh?
久(ひさ)しぶりだねえ。
It's been a while, hasn't it?

Dual function

1. Sentence-initial: attention-getting ("hey")
2. Sentence-final: agreement-seeking particle ("right?")

Forms

  • ねえ: standard, friendly
  • ね: shorter, lighter
  • ねー: elongated, more emphatic
  • なあ: masculine equivalent (Kansai: なー)

Pronunciation

  • Rising (initial): calling attention
  • Falling (final): seeking agreement
  • Flat: casual confirmation

Gender note: As an attention-getter, ねえ is slightly more common among female speakers, while おい or なあ are more masculine. As a sentence-final particle, it's used by all genders.

Common patterns

  • ねえねえ: repeated for emphasis ("hey hey")
  • 〜よねえ: stronger agreement-seeking
  • 〜だよねえ: emphatic confirmation

VS. ね:

  • ね: lighter, more frequent, less emphatic
  • ねえ: more emphatic, emotional, or attention-demanding

Related Words

Related: ほら (look, see, you know (attention-getter))
Related: ね (the shorter, lighter form of the same particle)
Related: なあ (the more masculine equivalent)
Related: おい (a blunter, distinctly masculine way to call out to someone)
Compare: あのね (you know)
basic
Added 2026.1.18 19:29 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
06500/06913_nee