How to respond to “hey” (and what “heyyy” means)

They text: heyyy

Three y’s. Do the math (or don’t).

Every name and message on this page is made up. Use the replies as starting points, not scripts; no wording guarantees how someone will answer.

What each “hey” usually signals

Version	Usually reads as
hey	Neutral. They want to talk and didn’t plan past the greeting.
heyy, heyyy	Warmer, playful, sometimes flirty. Some people just always type it like that.
hey.	Serious. A period on a greeting often comes before something they want to discuss. See how to respond to “we need to talk”.
hey stranger	They’re acknowledging a gap and testing the water.
hey (on a dating app)	Minimum effort. They matched and want to see if you’ll carry.

Compare it with their normal. If they always send “heyyy,” it’s just their handwriting. If they usually send “hey” and today it’s “heyyyy,” something is a little different, probably in your favor.

What to reply

Keep it going

You: heyy, how did the interview go??
A callback shows you remember their life. Use something real from your last chat.
You: hey! you survived the trip. best and worst part, go
Two-part questions are easy to answer and give you two threads to follow.

Flirty

You: heyyy, took you long enough
Implies you were waiting, in a confident way rather than a needy one.
You: hey you. good timing, i was just thinking about you
Only if it’s true. Sincere beats clever when it’s real.

Funny

You: hey. that’s it? that’s the whole text? bold
Teases a low-effort opener. Follow up with a real question so it doesn’t feel like a dunk.
You: hey! points for confidence. i’ll do the work: best taco in this city, go
For dating apps. You roast the opener and hand them an easy question in the same breath.

When it’s “hey.” with a period

You: hey, everything ok?
Calm, open, doesn’t assume the worst.

Chill

You: hey! what’s up
Fine with a friend when you just want to catch up.

Not interested

You: hey! honestly i don’t think we’re a match, but good luck out there
For an app match you’re done with. Kind and clear. Unmatching without a message is normal too.

What not to send

“hey” back Ping-pong with no ball.
“what do you want” Even as a joke, it reads hostile, especially from someone new.
“hi” three days later with no explanation If you’re late, own it. Here’s what to say when you forgot to text back.

Rehearse it first

Openers are where most people freeze. In Pretake you can import the chat, answer their “hey” three different ways, and see what an AI version of them might send back to each. It’s a rehearsal, not a forecast; the real person may answer differently.

Try Pretake on iPhone

AI practice, not the real person: practice replies are possibilities, not predictions, and nothing is sent to them.

18+ · Free to start with one person and 40 replies · In-app purchases · Prices and limits