You've just landed in a bustling Spanish-speaking city. You walk into a cozy café, the smell of fresh coffee in the air. The barista looks up and smiles. Your mind races... what do you say?
If "Hola!" is the only word that comes to mind, you're in the right place. While holahello is a fantastic start, the world of Spanish greetings is rich, varied, and full of personality. Knowing the right phrase for the right moment is your ticket to sounding less like a tourist and more like a local.
Let's dive in and upgrade your conversation skills from beginner to brilliant!
¡Empecemos! Ways to Say Hello
Greetings in Spanish often depend on two key things: the time of day and how well you know the person.
The All-Purpose Classic
1. Hola
This is your trusty, all-purpose "hello." It works anytime, anywhere, with anyone. It's friendly, simple, and always correct.
Greetings by the Clock
Just like in English, it's common to greet people based on the time of day. This shows a little more polish and awareness.
2. Buenos días
- Translation: Good morning
- When to use it: From the moment you wake up until noon.
3. Buenas tardes
- Translation: Good afternoon
- When to use it: From noon until the sun starts to set (around 7-8 p.m.).
4. Buenas noches
- Translation: Good evening / Good night
- When to use it: Once it's dark outside. Interestingly, this phrase works as both a "hello" when you arrive somewhere in the evening and a "goodbye" when you're leaving for the night.
Pro Tip: Keep it Short!
You'll often hear native speakers shorten these greetings to just "¡Buenas!". It's a friendly, casual catch-all that you can use any time of day.
Time to check your understanding!
You're meeting a friend for lunch at 1 p.m. What's the best way to greet them?
Casual & Friendly Hellos: "What's up?"
When you're talking to friends, you can relax and use more informal greetings.
5. ¿Qué tal?
- Translation: How's it going? / What's up?
- This is incredibly common and friendly. You can even combine it:
¡Hola, qué tal!
6. ¿Cómo estás?
- Translation: How are you? (Informal)
- This is the standard "how are you?" for friends, family, and people your age.
7. ¿Cómo está?
- Translation: How are you? (Formal)
- Use this for people you don't know, older individuals, or in professional settings. The only difference is the "s" at the end, but it signals respect. Mastering the difference between formal and informal registers is a key step toward fluency.
See the difference for yourself! The formal version uses usted (you, formal) while the informal uses tú (you, informal).
Drag the handle to compare
A few more for your cool-kid vocabulary:
¿Qué pasa?- "What's happening?" / "What's up?"¿Qué onda?- (Mexico & some parts of Latin America) - A very colloquial "What's up?"¿Todo bien?- "All good?"
¡Nos Vemos! Ways to Say Goodbye
Just as important as a good first impression is a graceful exit. Let's move beyond adiós.
The Daily Goodbyes
1. Adiós
- Translation: Goodbye
- While it's the direct translation, adiósgoodbye can sometimes feel a bit final or dramatic. In many places, it's more common to use other, more casual phrases if you expect to see the person again.
2. Chao (or Chau)
- Translation: Bye!
- Borrowed from Italian ("ciao"), this is probably the most common informal goodbye in Spain and Latin America. It's light, friendly, and perfect for everyday situations.
3. Hasta luego
- Translation: See you later
- This is your go-to phrase when you expect to see the person again, but you're not sure when. It's the perfect, safe choice for almost any situation.
4. Hasta mañana
- Translation: See you tomorrow
- Use this when you know for sure you will see the person the next day.
5. Nos vemos
- Translation: Literally "We see each other," but it means "See ya."
- Super friendly and very common among friends. It implies you'll see each other again soon.
Let's practice that last one. Can you unscramble this common phrase?
Arrange the words to form a correct sentence:
Warm & Caring Farewells
Sometimes you want to add a little extra warmth to your goodbye.
6. Cuídate
- Translation: Take care
- A lovely, caring way to say goodbye to a friend.
7. Que te vaya bien
- Translation: I hope it goes well for you / Have a good one
- This is a wonderful, positive phrase you can use with anyone.
Remember 'Buenas Noches'?
Don't forget that Buenas nochesGood night does double duty! If you're leaving a dinner party or saying goodbye to someone in the evening, it's the perfect farewell.
Greetings in Action: Sample Dialogues
Let's see how these look in real life. For more examples, check out our A1-level Spanish stories.
Scenario 1: Formal (Entering a Pharmacy)
You: Buenas tardesGood afternoon.
Pharmacist: Buenas tardes. ¿En qué puedo ayudarle? (Good afternoon. How can I help you?)
Scenario 2: Informal (Meeting a Friend)
Friend: ¡Hola! ¿Qué tal?How's it going?
You: ¡Hola! Todo bien, ¿y tú? ¿Cómo estás?How are you?
... (After you chat) ...
You: Bueno, me tengo que ir. ¡Nos vemos!See ya!
Friend: ¡Chao, cuídate!Bye, take care!
And there you have it! You've gone from just hola and adiós to a whole new world of expressions. The next time you step into that café, you'll be ready to greet the barista with a confident ¡Buenas tardes! and leave with a friendly ¡Hasta luego!.
Practice makes perfect, so try to use one new greeting and one new farewell this week. Incorporating new words into your daily routine is the best way to make them stick. You'll be amazed at how much more natural and connected you feel.
Ready to take your Spanish to the next level? The InkLingo app is packed with interactive lessons and real-world conversation practice. Download it today and start your journey to fluency!