The word "hi" ends in "i" because, in short words with no other vowel, the letter "i" creates the long "i" sound.
According to the provided reference, while not explicitly stating that 'i' always creates the long 'i' sound, it does explain how the letter 'y' makes the long 'i' sound:
- Y as a long I: The letter y makes the long sound of i when it comes at the end of a short word that has no other vowel. Examples: cry, try, my, fly, by, hi.
While the reference speaks directly to 'y', and not 'i', we can imply the reason "hi" ends in "i" is to create that long i sound. This is because, similar to the examples given with the letter 'y', "hi" is a short word with no other vowels besides 'i' that's making the vowel sound. Therefore "hi" ends in "i" because 'i' is making the only vowel sound and functioning as the long i sound.
