Learn Hardcore Dutch: Het is koud vandaag, hè?

It’s a sentence-final tag that seeks friendly confirmation or shared feeling, roughly like English “isn’t it?” or “right?”. It doesn’t change the meaning of the statement; it nudges the listener to agree or commiserate.

How do you pronounce hè?

Like English “heh,” with a short open e: IPA [hɛ]. Keep it short (not “hay”). In this sentence, the tag hè? normally has a slight rise in pitch.

Why is there a comma before hè and a question mark at the end?

The comma separates the main statement from the tag.
The question mark signals that the whole thing functions as a question (you’re inviting agreement).
In casual texting people sometimes skip the comma, but in standard writing you include it.

What’s the difference between hè and hé?

hè (grave accent, [hɛ]): tag for confirmation or mild complaint/relief; also used as “eh?” when you didn’t hear.
hé (acute accent, [heː]): “hey!” to get attention or express surprise.
In Flanders, you’ll often see hé? used as a confirmation tag too, but in the Netherlands hè? is the normal confirmation tag.

Is hè informal?

Yes. It’s very common in speech, chats, and friendly emails. In formal writing or presentations, prefer nothing at all or something like nietwaar? and toch? only when appropriate.

Could I use toch?, nietwaar?, or of niet? instead of hè?

toch?: “right (though)?”—you strongly expect agreement.
nietwaar?: “isn’t that true?”—more formal or bookish.
of niet?: “or not?”—neutral, slightly more explicit than hè.
All can fit, but hè? sounds the most casual and empathy-seeking.

Does hè change the word order?

No. You keep a normal declarative order, then add , hè? at the end. No inversion is needed.

Can I use a full yes/no question instead, like Is het koud vandaag?

Yes. That asks for information. The original with hè? invites agreement or shared feeling rather than a bare yes/no.

Why het and not er?

Dutch uses dummy het for weather, time, and similar impersonal statements (Het is koud, Het regent). Er is used for existential “there is/are” (Er is sneeuw), not for weather adjectives.

Is koud an adjective here? Does it need agreement?

Yes, it’s a predicative adjective after zijn (to be). Predicative adjectives don’t take endings: Het is koud. When you modify a noun, you add the ending where required: een koude dag (“a cold day”).

Can I move vandaag? For example: Vandaag is het koud or Het is vandaag koud?

All three are correct:

Het is koud vandaag: very common, neutral.
Vandaag is het koud: topicalizes “today” (as in contrast with another time).
Het is vandaag koud: also fine; often used when you’re adding more after it (e.g., “… en nat”).
The differences are subtle and mostly about emphasis and flow in context.

Is the comma before hè optional?

In careful writing, include it: …, hè? In casual notes or messages, some people omit it, but the recommended form uses the comma.

Can I write ’t is koud vandaag, hè?

Yes, in informal contexts. ’t is a casual contraction of het. Pronounced like a quick [t].

How does hè compare with hoor in a sentence like Het is koud vandaag, hoor?

hè? seeks agreement (“right?”).
hoor asserts or softens your statement (“I’m telling you, it really is”).
You can’t normally combine them at the end; pick one depending on whether you want agreement (hè?) or emphasis/assurance (hoor).

Any regional notes (Netherlands vs. Flanders)?

Netherlands: hè? is the usual confirmation tag.
Flanders: hé? is very common as the tag, though hè? is also understood.
Either way, everyone will understand you.

What intonation should I use?

Confirmation-seeking: slight rise on hè? (koud stays relatively prominent).
If you’re just sharing a feeling, you might keep a gentler rise or even a soft fall on hè, which can make it sound more rhetorical.

Can I negate it: Het is niet koud vandaag, hè?

Yes. That invites agreement with a negative statement (“It’s not cold today, right?”). For a twist after a negative, Dutch also uses … of wel? (“… or is it?”): Het is niet koud vandaag, of wel?

Is hè always written with the accent?

Yes, standard spelling uses the grave accent: hè. In quick messages people sometimes drop it, but correct Dutch keeps the accent.