How are you?
in Spanish¿Cómo estás?
/KOH-moh ehs-TAHS/
This is the most common, standard way to ask 'How are you?' to a friend, family member, or anyone you're on a first-name basis with (using 'tú').
A simple '¿Cómo estás?' is the perfect way to start a friendly conversation, whether you're catching up with an old friend or meeting someone new.
💬Other Ways to Say It
¿Cómo está usted?
/KOH-moh ehs-TAH oos-TED/
The formal version of '¿Cómo estás?'. The 'usted' makes it polite and respectful.
¿Qué tal?
/keh TAHL/
An extremely common and versatile greeting, closer to 'How's it going?' or 'What's up?'. It's friendly but can be used in almost any situation without being too informal.
¿Cómo te va?
/KOH-moh teh VAH/
A friendly, common alternative that means 'How's it going for you?'. It focuses a bit more on how life in general is treating the person.
¿Cómo andas?
/KOH-moh AHN-dahs/
A very casual and friendly way to ask 'How are you doing?'. 'Andar' literally means 'to walk', so it's like asking how they're 'walking through life'.
¿Todo bien?
/TOH-doh bee-EN/
Literally 'All good?', this is a very common, quick check-in, especially in Latin America. It's both a question and a way of saying hello.
¿Qué onda?
/keh OHN-dah/
A very popular slang greeting meaning 'What's the vibe?' or 'What's up?'. It's extremely common in Mexico but used in other countries too.
¿Qué pasa?
/keh PAH-sah/
Means 'What's happening?' or 'What's up?'. It can also mean 'What's wrong?', so context is key.
¿Qué más?
/keh MAHS/
Literally 'What else?', this is an extremely common greeting in Colombia and surrounding areas, used just like 'How are you?'.
¿Cómo le va?
/KOH-moh leh VAH/
The formal 'usted' version of '¿Cómo te va?'. It's a polite way to ask 'How is it going for you?'.
🔑Key Words
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right 'How are you?' depends on who you're talking to. Here's a quick comparison of the most common options.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¿Cómo estás? | Informal | Friends, family, pets, and people your age or younger. | Speaking to bosses, elders, or anyone you'd call 'Mr.' or 'Ms.' |
| ¿Cómo está usted? | Formal | Strangers, older people, authority figures, and in professional settings. | Talking to close friends, as it might sound cold or distant. |
| ¿Qué tal? | Neutral | Almost any situation; it's a safe, friendly, all-purpose greeting. | Very solemn or serious occasions, where it might seem too casual. |
| ¿Cómo andas? | Casual | Close friends and peers in a very relaxed, informal context. | Any formal or professional situation; it's too laid-back. |
📈Difficulty Level
Generally easy for English speakers. The main challenge is remembering to stress the final syllable in 'estás' (ehs-TAHS).
The concept of formal ('usted') vs. informal ('tú') 'you' is the main grammatical hurdle and requires conscious practice.
High nuance. Choosing the correct formality level and knowing regional slang is key to sounding natural and avoiding social awkwardness.
Key Challenges:
- Knowing when to use 'tú' vs. 'usted'.
- Remembering to always ask the question back.
- Recognizing and using the correct regional variations.
💡Examples in Action
¡Hola, Ana! ¿Cómo estás? Hace tiempo que no te veía.
Hi, Ana! How are you? It's been a while since I've seen you.
Buenos días, Sra. Ramírez. ¿Cómo está usted hoy?
Good morning, Mrs. Ramirez. How are you today?
¡Ey, Marcos! ¿Qué tal? ¿Listo para el partido?
Hey, Marcos! How's it going? Ready for the game?
¿Qué onda, güey? ¿Vamos por unos tacos?
What's up, dude? Should we go get some tacos?
Buenas tardes, disculpe la molestia. ¿Cómo le va? Quería hacerle una consulta.
Good afternoon, sorry to bother you. How are you? I wanted to ask you a question.
🌍Cultural Context
It's More Than Just a Question
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, asking 'How are you?' is a genuine start to a conversation, not just a passing formality like it can be in English. While you don't need to share your life story, a simple 'Bien, ¿y tú?' (Fine, and you?) is the minimum expected response to keep the social connection flowing.
The 'Tú' vs. 'Usted' Divide
The biggest cultural hurdle for English speakers is knowing when to use the informal 'tú' (in ¿Cómo estás?) versus the formal 'usted' (in ¿Cómo está?). Using 'tú' with an elder or a boss can be seen as disrespectful, while using 'usted' with a close friend can feel distant. When in doubt, start with 'usted' and let the other person invite you to be more casual.
Regional Flavors
Using a local greeting like '¿Qué onda?' in Mexico or '¿Qué más?' in Colombia is a fantastic way to connect with people and show you've made an effort to learn their specific culture. It can be a great icebreaker and often brings a smile to a native speaker's face.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Up Formality
Mistake: "Saying '¿Cómo estás?' to an elderly stranger or your new boss."
Correction: Use '¿Cómo está usted?' instead.
Confusing 'Ser' and 'Estar'
Mistake: "Asking '¿Cómo eres?' instead of '¿Cómo estás?'."
Correction: Always use '¿Cómo estás?' for asking about someone's current state.
The 'Dead-End' Response
Mistake: "Responding to '¿Cómo estás?' with just 'Bien.' (Fine.) and saying nothing else."
Correction: Always respond with 'Bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?' or 'Bien, gracias. ¿Y usted?'.
💡Pro Tips
The Golden Rule: Ask Back!
No matter how you're asked, always remember to return the question. The easiest way is to add '¿Y tú?' (informal) or '¿Y usted?' (formal) after your answer. This simple habit will make your conversations feel much more natural and polite.
Use '¿Qué tal?' as Your Swiss Army Knife
'¿Qué tal?' is your safest bet when you're unsure about formality. It's friendly and can be used with almost anyone, from a close friend to a shopkeeper. It's a perfect, all-purpose greeting that fits nearly everywhere.
Listen and Mirror
Pay attention to how people greet you. If a new acquaintance greets you with '¿Cómo estás?', that's a good sign you can use the informal 'tú' form with them. Mirroring the language of the person you're speaking with is a great way to navigate the tricky waters of formality.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
'¿Qué tal?' is used ubiquitously, from business meetings to casual chats. It's an extremely versatile greeting. '¿Qué pasa?' is also very common among friends.
Mexico
'¿Qué onda?' is iconic Mexican slang, used constantly among friends. It's friendly and casual. '¿Cómo estás?' remains the neutral standard for all situations.
Argentina
The use of 'vos' instead of 'tú' is universal, so you'll hear '¿Cómo andás?' instead of '¿Cómo andas?'. 'Che' is a famous interjection used to get someone's attention, like 'Hey'.
Colombia
'¿Qué más?' is the quintessential Colombian greeting. It might confuse other Spanish speakers who interpret it literally as 'What else?'. Here, it simply means 'How are you?'.
📱Texting & Social Media
¿Cómo estás?
WhatsApp, text messages, social media comments.
hola! cmo stas? tiempo sin hablar
hi! how are you? long time no talk
¿Qué tal?
Used frequently in all forms of digital communication for a quick, casual greeting.
q tal? todo bien?
how's it going? all good?
todo bien
Often used as a question ('tbn?') or an answer ('si, tbn').
Juan: q tal? / Maria: tbn y tu?
Juan: how's it going? / Maria: all good, and you?
💬What Comes Next?
After you ask '¿Cómo estás?' and they respond positively.
Bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?
Good, thanks. And you?
Bien también, gracias.
Good too, thanks.
They give a neutral or negative response.
Más o menos.
So-so.
Ah, ¿por qué? ¿Qué pasó?
Oh, why? What happened?
They give a very enthusiastic response.
¡Excelente! / ¡De maravilla!
Excellent! / Wonderful!
¡Qué bueno! Me alegro mucho.
That's great! I'm very happy to hear that.
🧠Memory Tricks
This trick helps you connect the sound of 'estás' with the meaning of checking someone's temporary state or status.
This simple sound association helps you remember to use 'usted' when you need to be formal and show respect.
🔄How It Differs from English
The most significant difference from English is the mandatory distinction between formal ('usted') and informal ('tú') 'you'. English speakers don't have to make this choice, but in Spanish, it's a crucial part of every interaction that defines the relationship between speakers. Furthermore, while 'How are you?' can be a rhetorical greeting in English, in Spanish it almost always expects a genuine, albeit brief, response and for the question to be returned.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to respond to 'How are you?'
This is the natural next step in any greeting conversation.
How to say 'Nice to meet you'
After asking how someone is, you'll often need to introduce yourself.
How to say 'What is your name?'
A fundamental question for getting to know someone after the initial greeting.
How to say 'Goodbye'
Learning how to politely end the conversation is just as important as starting it.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: How are you?
Question 1 of 3
You are meeting your girlfriend's grandmother for the first time. How should you greet her?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between '¿Cómo estás?' and '¿Qué tal?'?
Think of '¿Cómo estás?' as a direct question about someone's well-being that expects an answer (like 'Fine, thanks'). '¿Qué tal?' is more of a general greeting, like 'How's it going?' or 'What's up?'. It can be answered, but it can also just be a way to say hello. '¿Qué tal?' is more versatile and a bit more casual.
I'm scared of using the wrong formality! What should I do?
Don't worry, this is a common fear! The safest rule is: when in doubt, use 'usted'. It is always better to be too formal than too informal. Most people will appreciate the respect and will quickly tell you, 'Puedes tutearme' (You can use 'tú' with me) if they want to be more casual.
How do I answer if I'm not doing well?
You can be honest without giving too much detail. Phrases like 'Más o menos' (So-so), 'Regular' (Okay/Not great), or 'No muy bien' (Not very well) are common. A close friend might ask for more details, while an acquaintance will likely just offer a simple 'Espero que todo mejore' (I hope things get better).
I'm in Argentina and everyone says '¿Cómo andás?'. Why?
Argentina, along with Uruguay and some other parts of Latin America, uses 'vos' instead of 'tú' for the informal 'you'. This changes the verb forms slightly. So, '¿Cómo andás?' is the 'vos' equivalent of '¿Cómo andas?' and is the standard informal greeting there. Using it will make you sound like a local!
Can I just say 'Hola' instead of asking how someone is?
Yes, 'Hola' is a perfect way to say hello. However, it's very common to combine it with a 'how are you'. Saying 'Hola, ¿cómo estás?' or 'Hola, ¿qué tal?' is a warmer and more complete greeting than just 'Hola' on its own.
Is '¿Cómo está?' always formal?
Not necessarily. '¿Cómo está?' is the correct form for 'usted' (formal you), but it's also the form for 'él' (he) and 'ella' (she). So, if you point to a friend and ask another friend, '¿Cómo está él?', you are asking 'How is he?', which is an informal context.
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