What Does 'Qué Onda' Mean in Mexico? The Ultimate Guide to Sounding Like a Local

September 12, 2025

Decoding Mexican Spanish: What Does 'Qué Onda' Actually Mean?

Ever been in a conversation with a Mexican friend and heard them greet you with a cheerful "¿Qué onda?" and you just... froze?

You know [¿cómo estás?](/spanish/vocabulary/a1/basicgreetingsphrases) and [¿qué tal?](/spanish/vocabulary/a1/basicgreetingsphrases), but this one's new. Literally, it translates to "what wave?", which doesn't help much, does it?

Don't worry, you're not alone! "Qué onda" is one of the most iconic and versatile phrases in Mexican Spanish. It's the secret handshake of casual conversation, and once you master it, you'll sound less like a textbook and more like a local.

Let's dive into the waves and figure out exactly what this awesome phrase means.

Two young, diverse friends smiling and casually greeting each other on a vibrant, colorful Mexican street. One friend is waving slightly, and both have open, friendly expressions. The background features traditional Mexican architecture and a warm, inviting atmosphere. black background.

The Core Meaning: "What's Up?"

At its heart, ¿Qué onda? is the Mexican equivalent of "What's up?", "How's it going?", or "What's new?". It's a casual, friendly greeting you use with friends, family, and peers.

Think of it as a way to check in and open a conversation.

¿Qué onda, Carlos? ¿Todo bien? - "What's up, Carlos? All good?"
¡Hola, Ana! ¡Qué onda! - "Hey, Ana! How's it going!"

You can also use it to ask what someone is doing or what the plan is:

¿Qué onda para el fin de semana? - "What's the plan for the weekend?"

Pronunciation Pro-Tip

Intonation is everything! When used as a greeting, "qué onda" has a light, upward inflection at the end, just like you'd ask a question in English. It’s friendly and relaxed.

Beyond the Greeting: Other Meanings of "Qué Onda"

Here's where it gets fun. "Qué onda" isn't just a one-trick pony. Depending on the context and tone, its meaning can change completely.

1. To Say Something is "Cool" or "Awesome"

When used as an exclamation, ¡Qué onda! can mean "How cool!" or "Awesome!". It's a way to express positive surprise or admiration for something.

Your friend shows you their new guitar: ¡Wow, qué onda con tu guitarra nueva! - "Wow, your new guitar is so cool!"
You finish watching an amazing movie: ¡Qué onda de película! Me encantó. - "What an awesome movie! I loved it."

Notice how it's often followed by con or de in this context.

2. To Ask "What's Wrong?" or "What's the Deal?"

If you change the intonation to be more serious or concerned, ¿Qué onda? transforms into "What's wrong?" or "What's the deal with...?".

You see a friend looking sad: ¿Qué onda? ¿Por qué esa cara? - "What's wrong? Why the long face?"
Someone is acting strange: ¿Qué onda contigo? Has estado muy callado. - "What's the deal with you? You've been very quiet."

It’s all about the vibe you give off when you say it.

A triptych of three small scenes. The first shows a person excitedly pointing at something amazing (expressing "how cool!"). The second shows two friends talking, one with a slightly concerned expression, the other looking a bit down (expressing "what's wrong?"). The third shows a person with a bright, welcoming smile, waving hello (greeting "what's up?"). Each scene captures the essence of the phrase's varied uses. black background.

Your friend arrives at a party wearing an amazing, stylish jacket. How would you use 'qué onda' to compliment them?

How to Respond to "¿Qué Onda?"

So, someone hits you with a ¿Qué onda?. What do you say back? Keep it simple and casual.

Here are some go-to responses:

Todo bien, ¿y tú? - "All good, and you?"
Nada, aquí nomás. - "Nothing, just here." (A very common, relaxed response).
Bien, bien. ¿Y tú qué onda? - "Good, good. And what's up with you?"
Aquí, trabajando. - "Here, working." (Or whatever you're doing).

The key is to mirror the informal tone.

"Qué Onda" vs. Its Cousins

Mexican Spanish is rich with ways to say "What's up?". Here are a few others you'll hear and how they compare to qué onda.

Phrase	Formality	Common Usage	Notes
¿Qué onda?	Casual	Very common	The classic, friendly, all-purpose greeting.
¿Qué tal?	Neutral	Universal	Used everywhere in the Spanish-speaking world. A safe bet.
¿Qué hubo? / ¿Quiubo?	Casual	Very Mexican	Similar to `qué onda`, often shortened to `¿quiubo?`.
¿Qué pex?	Very Casual	Youth slang	A slightly edgier, playful version of `qué onda`.
¿Qué pedo?	Vulgar / Aggressive	Use with caution	Can be friendly among close friends, but can also mean "What the hell?"

A Word of Warning on '¿Qué Pedo?'

Be very careful with this one! While a group of close male friends might greet each other with ¿Qué pedo, güey?, it's a much coarser phrase. To an outsider, it can sound aggressive, like you're looking for a fight. Our advice? Stick to qué onda until you're a true master of Mexican slang.

Time to Ride the Wave!

A friendly person, perhaps a language learner, confidently saying "¡Qué onda!" with a thought bubble above them showing a small, stylized ocean wave. They are in a casual, inviting setting, maybe a café or park, interacting with others who are smiling. The overall mood is encouraging and successful. black background.

"Qué onda" is more than just slang; it's a cultural staple. It's warm, versatile, and the key to unlocking a more natural, relaxed way of speaking Spanish.

The next time you're chatting with a friend from Mexico, give it a try! Start with a simple ¿Qué onda? as a greeting and see where the conversation takes you. You'll be sounding like a local in no time.

Ready to learn more essential slang to level up your Spanish? Check out the interactive lessons and real-world conversation practice in the InkLingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'qué onda' only used in Mexico?

While it's most famously and frequently used in Mexico, you might also hear it in other parts of Central America, like Guatemala and El Salvador. However, it is the quintessential mark of Mexican slang.

Is it rude to say 'qué onda'?

Not at all! It's a very common, informal, and friendly greeting. However, like any slang, you should use it in casual situations with friends or people your age. You probably wouldn't greet your new boss with '¿Qué onda?'

What is the difference between 'qué onda' and 'qué pedo'?

'Qué onda' is generally friendly and positive, meaning 'what's up?' or 'how cool!'. 'Qué pedo' is much stronger and can be vulgar. It can mean 'what the hell?' or be used aggressively. It's best to avoid 'qué pedo' until you are very comfortable with Mexican slang and its nuances.