Even if you've never taken a formal course, you probably know that "hola" means "hello" in Spanish; however, just like in Italian, there are different terms and phrases to greet other people. Learning them is the first step to be able to hold a conversation in this language; Plus, by adding some slang, people might mistake you for a native speaker!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Learn Traditional Greeting Formulas
Step 1. Start with "¡Hola
. It is the simplest greeting in the Castilian language and is used with any interlocutor and in all circumstances. Latin American culture, in particular, is rather formal, so when you have doubts, play it safe by choosing this expression.
If you meet a group of people, consider saying "hola" to each individual; this gesture is not necessary everywhere, but it is nonetheless a sign of respect
Step 2. Switch to a less formal greeting
Just like in Italian, it is normal for people who speak Spanish to use different expressions to greet friends, acquaintances or when they are in more relaxed situations.
- "¿Qué pasa?" (che pasa) means "how are you / what's going on?";
- "¿Qué tal?" (che tal) indicates "how are you / how are you?";
- "¿Qué haces?" (which ases) is used to ask "what do you do?" or "how are you doing?".
Step 3. Use "¿Cómo estás?
"(como estàs) to greet. Just like in Italian, it often happens that the greeting (for example" hello ") is ignored and the interlocutor immediately goes to the question" how are you? ". You must conjugate the verb" estar "in based on the person or persons you are addressing.
- Pronounce "¿Cómo estás?" when you speak in an informative manner with a peer, a younger person or a family member.
- If you are in a formal situation, for example with an older person or someone who holds an authoritative role, you can say "¿Cómo está?" or "¿Cómo está usted?". If you are in doubt, address yourself in a formal and respectful manner and allow the interlocutor the opportunity to inform you that it is not necessary to call yourself "you".
- When addressing a group of people you can say "¿Cómo están?" to greet everyone.
Step 4. Change expression when greeting on the phone
In most Castilian-speaking states, if you answer the phone by saying "¿Hola?", You are understood perfectly, but most native speakers say "¿Aló?"
- In South America you can also hear people saying "Yes?", Which is quite common especially on business phone calls.
- Spaniards (intended as people originally from Spain and not just as Castilian speakers) normally answer the phone by saying "¿Dígame?" or with the abbreviation "¿Díga?". This expression is also a greeting, but it is only used on the phone and is similar to our "hello" answer.
- If you are making a phone call, it is considered a courtesy to respond with the appropriate greeting based on the time of day; for example, if it is morning, you can answer "¡Buenos días!" (buenos dias), meaning "good morning".
Step 5. Answer the question "¿Cómo estás?
"with" Bien, gracias "(bien grasias). This simple formula means" well, thank you. "As in much of the Western world, even people who speak Spanish respond to this question by claiming that they are fine even when it is not true.
You can also say "Más o menos" which means "pretty good" or "so-so" and it's a little less conventional than "Bien, gracias"
Step 6. Change the answer based on the salutation
Sometimes you subconsciously put it on "autopilot" and reply "well, thanks" even when someone asks "what's going on?". This happens in all cultures and languages, including Spanish; by modifying the answer, you avoid running into this error.
For example, if someone asks you "¿Qué tal?" ("what is it?"), you can say "Nada", which means "nothing"
Method 2 of 3: Greetings Based on Time of Day
Step 1. Say "¡Buenos días
"in the morning. Although this expression means" good days "(interpreted as" good morning "), it is used to express" good morning "and is said anytime before noon.
Traditional Castilian greetings that refer to the time of day are generally in the plural; you can sometimes hear a "buen día", but "buenos días" is the most common version
Step 2. Use "¡Buenas tardes
"in the afternoon. If it is 13:00, you can use this greeting instead of" ¡Hola! "to say" good afternoon ". In Latin America it is difficult to hear this formula after sunset, but in Spain it is also used in evening.
Step 3. Say "¡Buenas noches
"(buenas noces) in the evening. This expression means" good night "and is used both to welcome the person and as a farewell greeting; in fact, the most accurate translation of this phrase is" good evening ".
Typically, "¡Buenas noches!" it is considered a more formal greeting, so take this aspect into consideration in various social situations; it is used more frequently with strangers, especially if clearly older
Step 4. Try saying "¡Muy buenos
at any time of the day. This is a shorthand formula for all greetings that refer to the time of day. If you are around noon or late afternoon, you may have some doubts about which expression to use.; in these cases, opt for the abbreviation.
Method 3 of 3: Using Local Jargon
Step 1. Listen to native speakers
When you first enter a country or neighborhood where Castilian is spoken, take a few minutes to listen and "absorb" the conversations that take place around you; this way, you can catch some local expressions to greet each other.
You can also learn some jargon by watching Spanish TV shows or listening to music, especially pop music
Step 2. If you are in Mexico, use "¿Qué onda?
". The literal translation is" what wave? "And it may seem nonsensical; however, it is a phrase commonly used to greet informally and is equivalent to" what's up / how are you? ". is pronounced, it can also be understood as "do you have a problem?".
- Another common way of greeting in Mexico is "Quiubole" or "Q'bole" (pronounced "chiubole" or "chibole").
- "¿Qué onda?" it is also used in other South American countries; if someone says it, feel free to do the same.
Step 3. Try saying "¿Qué más?
"(che mas) in Colombia. It literally means" what else? ", but it is used in this and other Latin American countries to roughly mean" how are you? ".
Step 4. Use the expression "¿Qué hay?
"(che ai) or" ¿Qué tal? "(che tal) in Spain. These two phrases are pronounced to greet informally, a bit like" ciao "and" how are you? "in Italian.
Step 5. Learn conversational replies to greetings
Just like you can greet someone with a slang or conversational expression, you can do the same thing to answer; these phrases are mainly used with friends, acquaintances or peers.
- A common answer is "¡No me quejo!" (no me cheho - with the second aspirated "h") which means "I can't complain".
- You can also use the phrase "Es lo que hay" (es lo che ai) which can be likened to "it goes as it goes". Generally, it is a smart answer when someone approaches you with the question "¿Qué es la que hay?" (which es la che ai), widely used in Puerto Rico.
