Hear hear is the correct spelling. People say it to show strong agreement with something a speaker has just said. Here here is a common mistake, because “here” and “hear” sound exactly the same.
The comma is optional. Both “hear hear” and “hear, hear” are accepted, and you will often see an exclamation mark after it: Hear, hear!
What “hear hear” means
“Hear hear” is a short way to say “I agree” or “well said.” You use it when someone makes a point you support, especially in a speech, debate, toast, or meeting.
- “We should give the volunteers a proper thank-you.” “Hear, hear!”
- After the speech, the whole room cheered, “Hear, hear!”
- “Hear, hear,” said Mia, clapping after the principal’s announcement.
It works as a reaction. It does not need a full sentence around it.
Why people write “here here”
The two words are homophones, which means they sound the same but have different meanings and spellings:
- Hear means to notice sound with your ears.
- Here means in this place.
When you say the phrase aloud, nobody can tell which spelling you mean. So people who have only heard it spoken, and never seen it written, often guess “here here.”
Why “hear” is the right word
The phrase began as a call to listen. In the English Parliament in the 1600s, members shouted “Hear him!” to ask others to pay attention to a speaker they liked. Over time it was shortened to “hear, hear,” and its meaning shifted from “listen to this” to “I agree with this.”
The word hear has been at the center of the phrase from the start. Nothing about it has to do with a place, so here does not fit.
A simple memory aid: you hear a speaker with your ears. Both “hear” and “ears” contain the letters ear.
Can “here here” ever be correct?
Not as the cheer of agreement. But the words “here, here” can appear next to each other in an ordinary sentence when you point out places:
- “Sign here, here, and here.”
- “The leaks are here, here, and over there.”
In these sentences, “here” means a location, and the repetition is deliberate. This is a different use and has nothing to do with agreeing with someone.
Quick comparison
| Phrase | Correct? | Meaning |
| Hear hear / Hear, hear | Yes | “I agree” or “well said” |
| Here here | No (as a cheer) | Not a standard expression |
A quick test
Ask yourself: Am I agreeing with what someone just said? If yes, write hear, hear. If you are pointing to a place, you want “here,” and it is not the cheer.
Frequently asked questions
Should there be a comma between the two words?
Either way is fine. “Hear, hear” is the form most often used in careful writing, but “hear hear” is also seen.
Is “hear hear” formal or informal?
It fits both. You can say it in a parliament, at a wedding toast, or in a casual chat. It can sound a little old-fashioned, which is part of its charm.
Is it “hear, hear” or “hear ye, hear ye”?
They are different phrases. “Hear ye, hear ye” is an old call used to get a crowd’s attention before an announcement. “Hear, hear” is a reply that shows agreement.
The takeaway
Write hear, hear when you agree with a speaker. Think of listening with your ears, and remember that “here here” is only correct when you are pointing at places.
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I write clear, practical English lessons for everyday use. On Lingotexting, I break down grammar, vocabulary, and word types into simple ideas you can apply quickly. My focus is accuracy, real examples, and helpful visuals, so learners build confidence, improve writing, and communicate naturally in school, work, and daily life.