What's up dude
in Spanish¿Qué onda?
/keh OHN-dah/
This is one of the most common and versatile ways to say 'What's up?'. While strongly associated with Mexico, it's understood and used in many parts of Latin America.
A casual greeting like '¿Qué onda?' is perfect for friends and peers in informal settings.
💬Other Ways to Say It
¿Qué pasa?
/keh PAH-sah/
Literally 'What's happening?', this is a very common and universally understood informal greeting. It's a safe bet in almost any casual context across the Spanish-speaking world.
¿Qué tal?
/keh TAHL/
This is an extremely common greeting that works like 'How's it going?' or 'What's up?'. It's slightly more neutral than other slangy options, making it very versatile.
¿Cómo andas?
/KOH-moh AHN-dahs/
Meaning 'How are you walking?', this phrase is a friendly and common way to ask 'How are you doing?' or 'How's it going?'.
¿Qué onda, güey?
/keh OHN-dah, way/
This is the quintessential Mexican slang for 'What's up, dude?'. 'Güey' (or 'wey') is the Mexican equivalent of 'dude' or 'bro' and is used constantly among friends.
¿Qué pasa, tío/tía?
/keh PAH-sah, TEE-oh / TEE-ah/
This is the go-to phrase in Spain. 'Tío' (for a guy) or 'tía' (for a girl) literally means 'uncle' or 'aunt', but in this context, it's the Spanish equivalent of 'dude' or 'gal'.
¿Qué más, parce?
/keh MAHS, PAR-seh/
'¿Qué más?' is a common Colombian greeting for 'What's up?', and 'parce' (short for 'parcero') is the Colombian word for 'dude' or 'mate'.
¿Qué hacés, boludo/a?
/keh ah-SEHS, boh-LOO-doh / dah/
This is a hallmark of Argentine speech. '¿Qué hacés?' is the 'vos' form of 'What are you doing?'. 'Boludo' is a very common term of endearment between friends, like 'dude', but can be a strong insult in other contexts. Tone is everything.
¿Qué es la que hay?
/keh es lah keh EYE/
Often shortened to '¿Qué es la?', this is a very common greeting in Puerto Rico. It's a hyper-local way of saying 'What's up?' or 'What's the situation?'.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here’s a quick guide to choosing the right regional 'What's up, dude?' for your situation.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¿Qué onda, güey? | Casual | Greeting close friends in Mexico. | In formal settings, with elders, or outside of Mexico. |
| ¿Qué pasa, tío? | Casual | Informal greetings with peers of any gender ('tía' for girls) in Spain. | In Latin America, where 'tío' just means 'uncle'. |
| ¿Qué más, parce? | Casual | Sounding like a local when greeting friends in Colombia. | With authority figures or outside of Colombia. |
| ¿Qué hacés, boludo? | Casual | Greeting very close friends in Argentina, when the tone is clearly affectionate. | With anyone you don't know well; the risk of offending is high. |
| ¿Qué tal? | Neutral | A safe, universally understood greeting in any country and most situations. | It's never really a bad choice, but might lack local color in very informal settings. |
📈Difficulty Level
Most words are straightforward for English speakers. The 'güey' sound in Mexico or the soft 'd' in 'boludo' can take a little practice.
These are fixed expressions, so you just need to memorize them. There's no complex grammar to worry about.
This is the hardest part. Knowing which phrase to use in which country, with whom, and with what tone is an advanced skill that requires a lot of cultural context.
Key Challenges:
- Knowing which regional slang is appropriate.
- Mastering the correct tone to sound friendly instead of offensive.
- Avoiding use in formal situations.
💡Examples in Action
¡Epa, David! ¿Qué onda, güey? ¿Todo bien?
Hey, David! What's up, dude? Everything good?
Oye tía, ¿qué pasa? Hace mucho que no te veo.
Hey girl, what's up? It's been a while since I've seen you.
Che, ¿cómo andas? ¿Vamos por unas birras más tarde?
Hey man, how's it going? Should we go for some beers later?
Hola, ¿qué tal? ¿Me puedes ayudar con esto?
Hi, how's it going? Can you help me with this?
🌍Cultural Context
The Many Faces of 'Dude'
Unlike English where 'dude' is fairly universal, Spanish has a unique word for it in almost every country: 'güey' in Mexico, 'tío' in Spain, 'parce' in Colombia, 'che' or 'boludo' in Argentina, 'pana' in Venezuela, and so on. Using the local term is a great way to sound more natural, but using the wrong one can sound very out of place.
Tone is Everything
Words like 'güey' and especially 'boludo' walk a fine line between friendly and offensive. Among close friends, said with a smile, they mean 'dude' or 'mate'. Said with an aggressive tone to a stranger, they are serious insults. When in doubt, just leave them out.
Exclusively for Peers
These greetings are strictly for informal situations among people of a similar age or social standing. Using '¿Qué onda, güey?' with your friend's grandmother or your boss would be extremely disrespectful. For formal situations, stick to 'Buenos días' or '¿Cómo está usted?'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using Slang in Formal Settings
Mistake: "Saying '¿Qué onda?' to a customs officer or an elderly person."
Correction: Use 'Buenos días/tardes' or '¿Cómo está?'.
Mixing Regional Slang
Mistake: "Saying '¿Qué pasa, tío?' in Mexico or '¿Qué onda, güey?' in Spain."
Correction: Use the local equivalent, or a neutral option like '¿Qué tal?'.
Misusing 'Boludo'
Mistake: "Calling someone you just met in Argentina 'boludo' to be friendly."
Correction: Avoid this word until you are very close with someone and understand the local nuance.
💡Pro Tips
When in Doubt, Go Neutral
If you're not sure about the local slang or the level of formality, '¿Qué tal?' and '¿Cómo andas?' are your best friends. They are friendly, understood everywhere, and won't get you into trouble.
Listen Before You Speak
Pay attention to how people your age greet each other. If you hear a lot of 'parce' in Medellín, you can start trying it out with new friends. Mimicking the locals is the best way to learn.
It's Often a Statement, Not a Question
Just like in English, 'What's up?' doesn't always require a detailed answer. A common response is to just say it back ('¿Qué onda?'... '¿Qué onda?') or give a simple 'Todo bien' ('All good') before moving on.
🗺️Regional Variations
Mexico
Mexican slang is incredibly creative. '¿Qué pedo?' (literally 'what fart?') is extremely common but more vulgar than '¿Qué onda?'. Use it with caution. 'Güey' is used constantly as a filler word, not just a greeting.
Spain
The use of 'tío/tía' is the most defining feature. It's used so frequently that it's almost a verbal tic among young people. The use of 'vosotros' for plural 'you' also distinguishes Spanish greetings.
Argentina & Uruguay
The use of 'vos' instead of 'tú' is universal ('¿qué hacés?' instead of '¿qué haces?'). 'Che' is a very common interjection, similar to 'hey' or 'man', used to get someone's attention.
Colombia
'Parce' is the friendly heart of Colombian informal speech. You'll also hear '¿Quiubo?' which is a rapid contraction of '¿Qué hubo?' ('What was there?'). Greetings are often very warm and friendly.
📱Texting & Social Media
¿Qué onda?
WhatsApp, Instagram DMs, Facebook Messenger
q onda wey, vas a la fiesta hoy?
what's up dude, are you going to the party today?
¿Qué tal?
Used universally in text messages, slightly more neutral.
Hola, q tal? todo bien?
Hi, how's it going? all good?
¿Qué pasa?
A common informal text greeting, especially in Spain.
k pasa tio, dnd andas?
what's up dude, where are you at?
💬What Comes Next?
After you greet someone with '¿Qué onda?'
Nada, aquí nomás. ¿Y tú?
Nothing, just hanging out. And you?
Igual, todo tranquilo.
Same, all chill.
A common, quick response to any 'What's up?' greeting.
Todo bien, ¿y vos?
All good, and you?
Todo bien también, por suerte.
All good too, luckily.
When someone wants to greet you back the same way.
¡Qué onda!
What's up!
¿Todo en orden?
Everything in order?
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference is the sheer regional diversity. While English has 'mate', 'bro', or 'pal', the variety and specificity of terms like 'güey', 'tío', 'parce', and 'boludo' are on another level. These words are deeply tied to national identity. Furthermore, the line between casual slang and offensive language can be much finer in Spanish, requiring more cultural awareness from the speaker.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'how are you' in Spanish
This is the natural next step, covering both formal ('¿Cómo está?') and informal ('¿Cómo estás?') greetings.
How to respond to 'how are you' in Spanish
Learning responses like 'Estoy bien, gracias' is essential for continuing any conversation after the greeting.
How to say 'my name is' in Spanish
After greeting someone, the next logical step in an introduction is sharing your name.
How to say goodbye in Spanish
Bookend your conversation by learning the various ways to say goodbye, from 'adiós' to 'hasta luego'.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: What's up dude
Question 1 of 3
You're in Madrid and want to greet a friend your age. What's the most natural and common phrase to use?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use '¿Qué onda?' in Spain?
You can, and people will likely understand you because of Mexican media, but it will sound very out of place. It would be like a British person saying 'What's up, dude?' with a strong American accent—not wrong, but not natural for the region. In Spain, '¿Qué pasa?' or '¿Qué tal?' are much more common.
What's the difference between 'tío', 'güey', and 'parce'?
They all function like the English word 'dude', but they are specific to different countries. 'Tío/tía' is for Spain, 'güey' (or 'wey') is for Mexico, and 'parce' is for Colombia. Using the correct term for the region you're in will make you sound much more natural.
Is it ever okay for a foreigner to use words like 'güey' or 'boludo'?
Yes, absolutely, but it's best to wait until you have a good feel for the culture and the specific relationships you're in. A good rule of thumb is to only use these words with friends who already use them with you. Start with more neutral options and adopt the slang as you become more comfortable.
How do women use these greetings?
Women use these greetings just as much as men, especially with friends. They might say '¿Qué pasa, tía?' in Spain, or '¿Qué onda, amiga?' in Mexico. The terms 'güey' and 'parce' are often used by and for both men and women in friendly contexts.
What if someone says one of these to me and I don't know how to respond?
Don't panic! A simple and friendly '¡Hola! Todo bien, ¿y tú?' ('Hi! All good, and you?') works perfectly in any situation. You can also just smile and say the same phrase back to them, like a call and response: '¿Qué onda?' - '¡Qué onda!'.
Are there any versions of 'what's up' that are a bit more formal?
Yes. While 'what's up' is inherently informal, the closest you can get to a more formal version would be '¿Qué tal?' or '¿Cómo le va?'. '¿Qué tal?' is a safe, neutral option for almost anyone, and '¿Cómo le va?' is a polite, respectful way to ask 'How's it going?' to an elder or someone in a position of authority.
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