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First impressions count. That's one reason you should learn some of these common greetings before visiting an area where Spanish is spoken. Even if your knowledge of Spanish is rudimentary, it can make your conversation a bit smoother to know some of these statements or questions of common courtesy.
Phrases in common use can vary with location and sometimes with age or social status. But except where indicated, those listed on the page can be used appropriately in almost any situation.
| Spanish |
Meaning |
Notes |
| Hola |
Hello, hi | |
| Hola, aló, jaló, bueno, al, diga |
Hello (on the telephone) |
The choice of telephone greeting varies with location. |
| Adiós |
Goodbye |
An informal alternative in some areas is chau (sometimes spelled ciao, from Italian). |
| ¿Cómo estás? ¿Cómo está?1 |
How are you? | |
| Muy bien, gracias |
Very well, thank you | |
| Buenos días |
Good day, good morning |
In some areas, a shortened form, buen día, is used. |
| Buenas tardes |
Good afternoon |
Buenas tardes also should be used in the early evening in preference to buenas noches. |
| Buenas noches |
Good night |
Buenas noches can be used as a greeting as well as a farewell. |
| ¿Cómo te va? ¿Cómo le va?1 ¿Qué tal? ¿Qué hay? |
How's it going? What's happening? | |
| ¿Qué pasa? |
What's happening? | |
| ¿Qué hubo? ¿Qué onda? |
How is it going? What's happening? |
These phrases are most common in Mexico. |
| ¿Cómo te llamas? ¿Cómo se llama usted?2 |
What's your name? | A literal translation would be "What do you call yourself?" or, somewhat less literally, "What are you called?" |
| Me llamo Chris. |
My name is Chris. | A literal translation would be "I call myself Chris" or, somewhat less literally, "I am called Chris." |
| Mucho gusto. Encantado. |
It's a pleasure to meet you. |
These literally mean "much pleasure" and "delighted," respectively, so they would have different meanings in other contexts. |
| Bienvenido, bienvenida, bienvenidos, bienvenidas3 |
Welcome | |
Footnotes:
1The first form (which is informal) normally would be used with someone you know on a first-name basis or when speaking with a child. The second form generally would be used in other situations. Usage can depend quite a bit on where you are; in some areas, the informal form (estás) would be expected where under the same circumstances the formal form would be used in other areas. If you're a foreigner, chances are no one will criticize you for using the wrong form, although you may be politely corrected.
2The first form normally would be used with a child, or possibly with someone of equal social status at an informal occasion. If you're uncertain which form to use, the second one is safer. Also see the above note.
3Note the difference in number and gender. Bienvenido would be used with a man, bienvenida with a woman, bienvenidas with a group of all females, and bienvenidos with males or a mixed group.
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