howdy
word
/ˈhaʊdi/
HOW-dee
/hˈaʊdi/
HOW-dee
Definition
A very informal way to say hello. It is especially associated with the southern and western United States and can sound friendly, casual, or old-fashioned.
Usage & Nuances
Mostly used as a greeting, often at the start of a conversation: 'Howdy, folks!' It is strongly regional in tone, so outside that context it may sound playful, cowboy-like, or deliberately rustic. Less neutral than 'hi' or 'hello'.
Spanish: hola (saludo informal regional)Portuguese (BR): oi (cumprimento informal regional)Portuguese (PT): olá (saudação informal regional)Chinese (Simplified): 你好（非正式、带乡村或西部口吻的问候）Chinese (Traditional): 你好（非正式、帶鄉村或西部口吻的問候）Hindi: नमस्ते (बहुत अनौपचारिक, क्षेत्रीय अभिवादन)Arabic: مرحبًا (تحية عامية إقليمية غير رسمية)Bengali: হাউডি - হ্যালো (অনানুষ্ঠানিক উচ্চারণ)Russian: Хауди - привет (разговорное, ковбойское)Japanese: ハウディ（カウボーイ風のあいさつ）Vietnamese: chào (kiểu miền Tây nước Mỹ) - howdyKorean: 하우디 (미국 남서부식 인사)Turkish: howdy - selam (kovboy tarzı)Urdu: ہاؤڈی (غیر رسمی سلام) - ہیلو (امریکی مغربی انداز)Indonesian: howdy - halo (gaya koboi)
Example Sentences
The old man said, "Howdy, kids."
basic
She smiled and said howdy to everyone.
basic
He walked into the bar like a cowboy and went, "Howdy, everyone."
natural
Howdy! Nice to meet you.
basic
I wasn't expecting a formal meeting to start with "Howdy."
natural
Around here, people still say howdy without irony.
natural