Using Slang in Formal Situations
Mistake: “Saying '¿Qué onda?' to your new boss or an elderly person.”
Correction: Use '¿Cómo está usted?' or a simple 'Buenos días'.
How to say
What's up?
in Spanish¿Qué tal?
keh TAHL
This is the most common and versatile way to say 'What's up?' or 'How's it going?'. It's friendly and works in almost any situation, from greeting friends to chatting with a store clerk.
Like 'What's up?' in English, Spanish has many friendly and informal ways to greet friends, like '¿Qué tal?' or '¿Qué onda?'.
💬Other Ways to Say It
¿Cómo estás?
★★★★★
KOH-moh ehs-TAHS
neutral🌍
While this literally means 'How are you?', it's used interchangeably with 'What's up?' in everyday conversation. It's a universally safe and friendly greeting.
When to use: Use this in any situation where you would ask 'How are you?'. It's perfect for friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances. Use '¿Cómo está?' (with 'está') for more formal situations.
¿Qué pasa?
★★★★★
keh PAH-sah
casual🌍
A very common, casual greeting among friends, similar to 'What's happening?'. Be aware that context is key, as it can also mean 'What's wrong?' if said with a concerned tone.
When to use: Best used with friends and people you know well. Avoid it as a greeting in formal settings or if you don't want to risk being misunderstood as asking if something is wrong.
¿Cómo andas?
★★★★☆
KOH-moh AHN-dahs
casual🌎 🇪🇸
Literally 'How are you walking?', this is a very common and friendly way to ask 'How are you doing?' or 'How's life treating you?'.
When to use: Great for catching up with friends or acquaintances. It feels a bit more personal and interested than a simple 'Hola'.
¿Qué onda?
★★★★★
keh OHN-dah
informal🇲🇽 🌍 🇦🇷
The quintessential informal greeting in Mexico, meaning 'What's the vibe?' or 'What's up?'. It's very laid-back and characteristic of Mexican slang.
When to use: Use this exclusively with close friends and peers in a very casual setting. It would sound out of place in a formal or professional context.
¿Qué más?
★★★★★
keh MAHS
casual🇨🇴 🇻🇪 🇪🇨
A very popular and friendly greeting in Colombia and surrounding countries, literally meaning 'What else?'. It's used just like 'What's up?'.
When to use: This is the go-to casual greeting in countries like Colombia. It's often combined with other greetings, like 'Hola, ¿qué más?'.
¿Quiubo? / ¿Qué hubo?
★★★★☆
KYOO-boh/ or /keh OO-boh
informal🇲🇽 🇨🇴 🇨🇱
A slangy contraction of '¿Qué hubo?' (What was there?), this is a very common, informal greeting among friends, especially in Mexico and Colombia.
When to use: Strictly for friends and casual situations. It's a quick, street-smart way to say hello.
¿Cómo va?
★★★★☆
KOH-moh VAH
casual🇦🇷 🇪🇸
A short and sweet version of '¿Cómo va todo?' (How's everything going?). It's a relaxed and common greeting.
When to use: Perfect for a quick, casual check-in with friends, colleagues, or neighbors.
¿Qué hay?
★★★☆☆
keh EYE
casual🇪🇸
Literally 'What is there?', this is a common greeting in Spain, similar to 'What's new?' or 'What's happening?'.
When to use: Use among friends and peers in Spain. It's a bit like shouting 'Hey, what's new?' across a room to a friend.
¿Qué es la que hay?
★★★☆☆
keh ehs lah keh EYE
informal🏝️
A very characteristic and informal greeting from Puerto Rico and other parts of the Caribbean. It's a very local way to say 'What's up?'.
When to use: Use this if you're in the Caribbean and want to sound like a local among friends. It might not be understood elsewhere.
¿Todo bien?
★★★★★
TOH-doh BYEN
neutral🌎
Meaning 'Everything good?', this functions as both a question and a statement. It's a very common, slightly less direct way to ask how someone is doing.
When to use: A great, all-purpose greeting. You can use it to start a conversation or as a quick check-in. The expected answer is usually 'Sí, todo bien'.
🔑Key Words
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right way to say 'What's up?' depends heavily on formality and region. Here's a quick comparison of the most common options.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¿Qué tal? | Neutral | Almost any situation; it's the universal and safe choice. | Never, this one is always a good option to have. |
| ¿Cómo estás? | Neutral | Greeting friends, family, and colleagues. It's a standard, friendly 'How are you?'. | It's safe everywhere, but use '¿Cómo está?' for very formal situations. |
| ¿Qué pasa? | Casual | Greeting friends you know well in a relaxed environment. | In formal settings, or if your tone might be misinterpreted as asking 'What's wrong?'. |
| ¿Qué onda? | Informal | Very casual chats with close friends, primarily in Mexico. | Meeting new people, in professional settings, or outside of its specific regions. |
| ¿Qué más? | Casual | The standard friendly greeting in Colombia and nearby countries. | Outside of its primary regions, where it might be taken literally as 'What else?'. |
📈Difficulty Level
Overall Difficulty:beginnerPractice for several days
Pronunciation1/5
Most of these phrases use basic Spanish sounds that are easy for English speakers to produce.
Grammar1/5
These are fixed expressions, so you just need to memorize them. There's no complex grammar to worry about.
Cultural Nuance4/5
The biggest challenge is knowing which phrase to use. Choosing the right level of formality and the correct regional slang requires a lot of cultural context.
Key Challenges:
- Knowing which regional slang is appropriate
- Avoiding overly informal phrases in formal settings
- Understanding the subtle difference between '¿Qué pasa?' and '¿Qué te pasa?'
💡Examples in Action
Casual conversation between friendsA1
¡Hola, David! ¿Qué tal? ¿Cómo te ha ido en el trabajo?
Hey David! What's up? How have you been at work?
Informal greeting between friends in Venezuela or ColombiaA2
¡Epa, chamo! ¿Qué más? ¿Todo bien?
Hey, dude! What's up? All good?
Very informal slang between close friends in MexicoB1
Oye, güey, ¿qué onda? ¿Vamos por unos tacos o qué?
Hey, dude, what's up? Are we going for tacos or what?
A more formal and polite greetingA2
Buenas tardes, señorita. ¿Cómo está? Espero que todo vaya bien.
Good afternoon, miss. How are you? I hope everything is going well.
🌍Cultural Context
Greeting vs. Genuine Question
Much like in English, phrases like '¿Qué tal?' are often used as simple greetings rather than genuine questions demanding a detailed answer. A simple 'Bien, ¿y tú?' ('Good, and you?') is usually the perfect response, even if you're not feeling great.
A Marker of Identity
The specific phrase you use to say 'What's up?' is a huge indicator of where you're from in the Spanish-speaking world. A Mexican will say '¿Qué onda?', a Colombian '¿Qué más?', and a Spaniard '¿Qué pasa?'. It's one of the quickest ways to identify someone's origin.
Physical Greetings
These verbal greetings are almost always accompanied by a physical gesture. Depending on the region and relationship, this could be a handshake, a hug, or one or two kisses on the cheek (besos). Don't be surprised by the physical closeness that comes with a casual 'hello'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing '¿Qué pasa?' and '¿Qué te pasa?'
Mistake: “Seeing a friend and asking '¿Qué te pasa?' as a friendly greeting.”
Correction: Just say '¿Qué pasa?'.
Literal Translation
Mistake: “Translating 'What is up?' word-for-word and saying '¿Qué está arriba?'.”
Correction: Use any of the idiomatic phrases like '¿Qué tal?' or '¿Qué pasa?'.
💡Pro Tips
When in Doubt, Use '¿Qué tal?'
If you're ever unsure which greeting to use, '¿Qué tal?' is your safest bet. It's understood everywhere and fits in almost any context, from casual to semi-formal. It's the perfect all-purpose greeting.
Listen and Mirror
The best way to learn regional greetings is to listen to how locals talk to each other. When you hear a friend in Mexico City say '¿Qué onda?', try using it back. This shows you're engaged and helps you sound more natural.
Have a Simple Response Ready
Most of the time, the person asking isn't looking for a long story. Prepare a simple, positive response like 'Todo bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?' ('Everything's good, thanks. And you?'). This keeps the conversation flowing smoothly.
🗺️Regional Variations
🇲🇽
Mexico
Preferred:¿Qué onda?
Pronunciation:/keh OHN-dah/
Alternatives:
¿Qué hubo?¿Quiubo?¿Qué pex?
Mexican greetings are famous for their casual and friendly slang. 'Onda' (vibe) is a key concept in Mexican Spanish. Using '¿Qué onda?' correctly will make you sound very natural and friendly.
⚠️ Note: '¿Qué pex?' is even more informal and slangy than '¿Qué onda?' and can be considered vulgar by some. Best to avoid it unless you're with very close friends who use it.
🇪🇸
Spain
Preferred:¿Qué tal?
Pronunciation:/keh TAHL/
Alternatives:
¿Qué pasa?¿Cómo vas?¿Qué hay?
Spaniards tend to use '¿Qué pasa?' more freely as a simple greeting than in Latin America. The 'vosotros' form might be used in responses, e.g., '¿Qué tal estáis?'.
⚠️ Note: Slang from Latin America like '¿Qué onda?' or '¿Qué más?' will sound foreign and might not be immediately understood as a greeting.
🇦🇷
Argentina
Preferred:¿Cómo andas?
Pronunciation:/KOH-moh ahn-DAHS/' (with a distinct 'sh' sound for the 'y' and 'll')
Alternatives:
¿Todo bien?¿Cómo va?Che, ¿todo en orden?
Argentinians often use 'che' as an interjection, similar to 'hey' or 'dude'. The 'voseo' (using 'vos' instead of 'tú') is standard, so you'll hear '¿cómo andas vos?' instead of '¿cómo andas tú?'.
⚠️ Note: Using very formal greetings can sometimes create distance. Argentinian culture is generally warm and informal.
🇨🇴
Colombia
Preferred:¿Qué más?
Pronunciation:/keh MAHS/
Alternatives:
¿Quiubo?¿Todo bien?¿Bien o no?
'¿Qué más?' is the quintessential friendly Colombian greeting. It's often followed by 'pues'. For example: '¿Qué más pues?'. The phrase '¿Bien o no?' ('Good or not?') is a very common and playful way to ask how someone is.
⚠️ Note: Be prepared for warm, friendly, and sometimes lengthy greetings. A quick, cold hello can be seen as rude.
📱Texting & Social Media
q tal
¿Qué tal?
WhatsApp, Instagram DMs, text messages
hola! q tal? mucho tiempo sin hablar
hey! what's up? long time no talk
k onda
¿Qué onda?
Mostly used by Mexicans and Central Americans in casual chats.
k onda wey, sales hoy?
what's up dude, you going out tonight?
tbn
Todo bien
Often used as a response to a greeting.
Q tal? - Tbn y tu?
What's up? - All good, and you?
💬What Comes Next?
After you ask '¿Qué tal?'
They say:
Bien, ¿y tú?
Good, and you?
→
You respond:
Todo bien, gracias.
All good, thanks.
After you ask '¿Qué onda?'
They say:
Nada, aquí nomás. ¿Y tú qué?
Nothing, just here. And you?
→
You respond:
Igual, aquí trabajando un rato.
Same, just working for a bit here.
After you ask '¿Qué más?' (in Colombia)
They say:
¡Todo bien! ¿Juicioso o qué?
All good! Being well-behaved or what?
→
You respond:
¡Juicioso, juicioso! Dándole a la chamba.
Well-behaved, well-behaved! Hitting the grind.
🔄How It Differs from English
In Spanish, the line between 'What's up?' and 'How are you?' is much blurrier than in English. Phrases like '¿Cómo estás?' and '¿Qué tal?' are used almost interchangeably in daily life. The biggest difference is the incredible regional diversity; while English has a few variations ('What's good?', 'How's it going?'), Spanish has dozens of distinct, country-specific greetings that are a core part of local identity.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
"'What's wrong?'"
Why it''s different: Learners sometimes confuse the greeting '¿Qué pasa?' ('What's up?') with the question of concern. The tone of voice is critical. A worried tone makes it 'What's wrong?', while a cheerful tone makes it a greeting.
Use instead: To clearly ask 'What's wrong with you?', you should say '¿Qué te pasa?'. To greet a friend, say '¿Qué pasa?' with a smile.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to respond to 'What's up?'
It's the natural next step in the conversation after you greet someone.
How to say 'How are you?' (Formal)
Learning the formal version ('¿Cómo está usted?') is crucial for showing respect.
How to say 'What are you doing?'
This is a common follow-up question after the initial greeting.
How to say 'Long time no see'
This phrase is perfect for when you run into someone you haven't seen in a while.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
Quick Quiz: What's up?
Question 1 of 3
You're meeting your girlfriend's parents in Mexico for the first time. How should you greet her father?
Use phrases naturally, not mechanically
Knowing a phrase is one thing — using it at the right moment is another. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories to see phrases in the contexts where they actually belong.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the real difference between '¿Qué tal?' and '¿Cómo estás?'
Honestly, in most day-to-day situations, there's very little difference. They are used interchangeably as 'How are you?'. '¿Qué tal?' can feel slightly more informal and is a bit more like 'How's it going?', while '¿Cómo estás?' is a direct 'How are you?'. You can't go wrong with either in a casual context.
Is it rude to say '¿Qué pasa?'
Not at all, as long as it's used in the right context! Among friends, it's a perfectly normal and friendly greeting. However, its meaning can change to 'What's wrong?' based on your tone, so say it with a smile. Avoid using it as a greeting in formal situations.
How do I respond when someone says '¿Qué tal?' or '¿Qué onda?'
A simple, positive response is best. You can say 'Bien, ¿y tú?' (Good, and you?), 'Todo bien, gracias' (All good, thanks), or just 'Bien, bien' (Good, good). You don't need to give a detailed report of your day unless you want to.
Can I use '¿Qué onda?' if I'm not in Mexico?
It's best to stick to the local slang. While many Spanish speakers will understand '¿Qué onda?' because of Mexican media, it will definitely mark you as someone who learned Mexican Spanish. In Spain or Colombia, it would sound out of place. A better universal option is always '¿Qué tal?'.
What's the most formal way to ask how someone is?
The most formal and respectful way is '¿Cómo está usted?'. You use 'está' instead of 'estás' and 'usted' instead of 'tú'. This is the version you should use with the elderly, authority figures, or people you've just met in a formal setting.
I heard '¿Qué lo qué?' What does that mean?
That's a very popular and informal greeting from the Dominican Republic! It's pronounced 'keh-loh-KEH' and is the Dominican equivalent of 'What's up?'. It's another great example of how this simple greeting changes from country to country.
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