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How to Say "what's up?" in Spanish

English → Spanish

tal

/tal//tal/

Phrase / InterjectionA1informal
Use '¿Qué tal?' as a general, all-purpose greeting to ask 'How are you?' or 'What's up?' when meeting someone.
Two friendly people smiling and waving at each other on a sunny street, one asking the other how they are doing.

Examples

¡Hola, amigo! ¿Qué tal?

Hi, friend! What's up?

¡Hola, Ana! ¿Qué tal?

Hi, Ana! How are you?

¿Qué tal el viaje? ¿Te divertiste?

How was the trip? Did you have fun?

¿Qué tal si vamos al cine esta noche?

How about we go to the movies tonight?

onda

OHN-dah/ˈon.da/

nounB1very informal
Use '¿Qué onda?' specifically in Mexico and Central America to ask 'What's up?' in a very informal way, often referring to the general vibe or situation.
A stylized drawing of two happy people sitting together, surrounded by bright, warm light and simple shapes suggesting a positive atmosphere.

Examples

¿Qué onda con la fiesta? ¿Va a estar buena?

What's up with the party? Is it going to be good?

El café tiene una onda muy relajada y acogedora.

The coffee shop has a very relaxed and cozy vibe.

¡Qué buena onda eres! Siempre me ayudas.

You're so cool/kind! You always help me.

¡Hola, amigo! ¿Qué onda?

Hey, friend! What's up?

Using 'Onda' as a compliment

When you say someone 'tiene buena onda' or 'es buena onda,' you are saying they are a good, kind, or cool person. It's a very high compliment in informal settings.

Using 'Onda' formally

Mistake: “Using 'onda' in a professional email or formal speech.”

Correction: Always keep 'onda' for casual, friendly conversations. For formal settings, use 'ambiente' (atmosphere) or 'actitud' (attitude).

Greeting vs. Vibe

The most common mistake is using 'onda' when you simply want to greet someone. Remember, '¿Qué tal?' is the standard, versatile greeting, while '¿Qué onda?' is more informal and often asks about the 'vibe' or situation, and is region-specific.

Related Translations

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