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¡Hola!
We’re sure you’ve heard this word before somewhere… “Hola” is the most common/generalized way of saying “Hi”/“Hello” in Spanish. People use it in all contexts! But of course, just like in English, there are plenty of other ways to greet people, say how are you, and say goodbye. Read on to learn how to have a simple exchange with someone in Spanish. In this post, you’ll learn how to greet and respond to a greeting in Spanish.
How to greet someone in Spanish?
Here are the common ways to greet someone in Spanish. Always remember that when you go into a store or meet a person, use a greeting to be polite.
Saludar
To greet
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Saludos
Greetings
Hola
Hi / Hello
Buenos días
Good morning
Buenas tardes
Good afternoon / Good evening
Buenas noches
Good evening / Good night
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¿Cómo están?
How are you? (plural)
¿Qué tal?
Hi. How are you? / How’s it going?
¿Cómo te va?
How’s it going?
¿Cómo has estado?
How have you been?
¿Cómo está (usted)?
How are you? (formal)
Buenos días is used in the morning until noon. Buenas tardes is used after midday usually until the sun goes down. Buenas noches is used in the evening and at night, usually when it gets dark, but, unlike English, we also use it to greet people and not only to say goodbye or when we’re going to bed.
How to say goodbye in Spanish?
Here we have the most common ways to say goodbye or end a conversation.
Despedirse
To say goodbye
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Despedidas
Saying Goodbye
Adiós
Goodbye
Nos vemos (pronto)
See you (soon)
Hasta mañana
See you tomorrow
Hasta pronto
See you soon
Buenas noches
Good night
Que tengas un buen día
Have a nice day
Que tenga (usted) un buen día
Have a nice day (formal)
Que tengas un buen fin de semana
Have a nice weekend
Que tenga (usted) un buen fin de semana
Have a nice weekend (formal)
Know that “adiós” is also used as “hi-bye” when you pass someone on the street. So don’t be surprised if someone says “adios” as they pass you on the street (but don’t stop to talk).
Informal Greetings in Spanish
For the most part, you can use informal greetings when you know the person you’re speaking with, or when this person is younger than yourself. Here are some examples of informal greetings in Spanish:
En contexto
In context
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Informal
—Hola, Raquel, ¿cómo estás?
—Hi Raquel. How are you?
—Bien, Juan, ¿y tú? ¿Qué tal?
—Good, Juan. And you? How are you doing?
—Bien también. Gracias.
—I’m good too. Thanks.
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—¡Hola, Ramón! ¿Cómo has estado?
—Hello Ramón! How have you been?
—¡Hola, Pedro! Muy bien, ¿y tú?
—Hi, Pedro! Pretty good. And you?
—Bien. Muchas gracias.
—Good. Thank you very much.
Formal Greetings in Spanish
For the most part, formal greetings are used when you’re speaking with someone older than yourself, someone you don’t know, or someone of higher status. It is seen as a more respectful way to address someone.
En contexto
In context
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Formal
—Hola. Buenas tardes, señor García. ¿Cómo está usted?
—Hello. Good afternoon, Mr. García. How are you?
—Bien. Gracias. ¿Y usted?
—I’m good. Thank you. And you?
—Muy bien. Gracias.
—Very good. Thanks.
If you wish to see these Spanish greetings in action, head over to YouTube for great content. Here is one example of How to Greet in Formal and Informal Spanish.
