aló
“aló” means “hello” in Spanish (answering the phone).
hello
Also: hello?
📝 In Action
¡Aló! ¿Con quién hablo?
A1Hello! Who am I speaking with?
¿Aló? No te oigo bien, se está cortando la llamada.
A2Hello? I can't hear you well, the call is breaking up.
Aló, ¿está María por favor?
A1Hello, is María there please?
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: aló
Question 1 of 3
When is it appropriate to use the word 'aló'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Likely derived from the English 'hello' or the French 'allô', which became popular as telephone technology spread through Latin America in the early 20th century.
First recorded: Early 20th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'aló' mean 'hi'?
Not exactly. While it is a greeting, it is used specifically for answering the phone. For a general 'hi' to someone you see in person, use 'hola'.
Is 'aló' formal or informal?
It is neutral. You can use it when answering the phone for a friend or a stranger, though in very formal business contexts, some might prefer '¿Dígame?'.
Why do some countries use 'bueno' instead of 'aló'?
It's a regional habit! Language evolves differently in different places. Mexico uses 'bueno', Spain uses 'dígame', and much of South America uses 'aló'.