Even if you've never taken a Spanish class, you probably already know that "hola" (O-lah) is the Spanish word for "hello." However, like Indonesian, there are other words and phrases that can be used to greet other people. Learning a few greeting words is the first step to becoming more fluent in Spanish. Include some local slang, and you'll sound just like real Spanish.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Learning the Basic Greetings
Step 1. Start with "¡ Hola
This is a common greeting in Spanish, and it can be used to greet anyone in any situation. Latin American culture can be quite formal, so if you're in doubt, this is the best way to greet someone.
If you're meeting a group of people, it's a good idea to say hello to everyone. This gesture isn't always necessary, but it will show your politeness
Step 2. Say a more casual greeting
Like Indonesian, Spanish has a different greeting when talking to friends or acquaintances, or when greeting people in a more relaxed atmosphere.
- "¿ Qué pasa ?" (KEY PA-sa) which means “What happened?”
- "¿Quétal?" (key tahl) which means "What's wrong?"
- "¿Qué haces?" (key a-seys) which means "How are you?"
Step 3. Who uses "¿ Como estás ?
"(KOH-moh ess-TAHS). As in Indonesian, Spanish people usually skip "hi" and immediately ask how they are when greeting. Depending on who is addressed, the form of the verb can be changed to " estar ".
- Say "¿ Como estás ?" when speaking informally, to people the same age or younger, or who are well known.
- If you are speaking formally, to someone who is older or of a higher position, say " Cómo está ?" You can also say "¿ Cómo está usted ?" When in doubt, greet the other person formally and wait to see if he or she asks you not to speak formally.
- When speaking to a group of people, say "¿ Cómo están ?" to greet them all.
Step 4. Use another greeting when answering the phone
In most places, you can answer the phone by saying "¿ Hola ?" However, most Spaniards say "¿ Aló ?"
- In South America, you can also hear people answer the phone with "¿ Sí ?" This word is commonly used in a business context.
- Spaniards usually answer the phone with "¿ Dígame ?", or the shortened form "¿ Díga ?" This word also means "hello", but is only used on the phone.
- If you're the one calling, it's best to answer the phone in a timely manner to be polite. For example, if you call in the morning, answer with "¡ Buenos días !" (buu-WE-nos DII-yas), or "Good Morning!"
Step 5. Answer "¿ Como estás ?
" with " Bien, gracias " (BII-yen, gra-SII-yas). The sentence means "Okay, thank you." As in Indonesian, Spanish people will usually answer that they are said to be healthy even though they may not be.
You can also respond with " Más o menos " which means "okay" or "okay". This sentence is softer than " Bien, gracias."
Step 6. Change the response depending on the greeting used
Sometimes, even in Indonesian, you answer greetings automatically. Someone said "How are you?" and you respond with “Fine, thanks!” Changing the response will prevent you from making the same mistake in Spanish.
For example, if someone says "¿ Qué tal ?" ("How are you?"), you can respond with " Nada " (na-dah), which means "nothing."
Method 2 of 3: Greet People on Time
Step 1. Say "¡ Buenos días
"(buu-WE-nos DII-yas) in the morning. Although this phrase literally means "Good afternoon!", this greeting is also used in the morning before noon.
Usually greetings in Spanish are based on the plural times of day. You'll sometimes hear "buen día", ("good afternoon"), but "buenos días" (good afternoon) is much more common
Step 2. Use "¡ Buenas tardes
"(buu-WE-nas TAR-deys) during the day. When it's past 1pm, you can use this phrase that means "Good afternoon" instead of "¡ Hola !" In Latin America, you usually don't use greetings. this is after sunset, but in Spain this phrase is also used towards evening.
Step 3. Say "¡ Buenas noches
(buu-WE-nas NOH-cheys) in the evening. This phrase means “Good evening” and is used to greet and say goodbye. When used to say hello, it is more accurately translated as “Good evening!”
Usually, "¡ Buenas noches !" considered more formal so pay attention to the context. Use it more often with strangers, especially those older than you
Step 4. Try "¡ Muy buenos
"(muu-ii buu-WE-nos) all the time. "¡ Muy buenos !" is a shortened version of all time-based greetings. If it's still noon, or at the end of the afternoon, and you're not sure what phrase is the most appropriate, you should use this greeting.
Method 3 of 3: Using Local Slang
Step 1. Listen to a native Spanish speaker
When you first enter a country where Spanish is your primary language, take a few minutes to listen and absorb the conversations around you. This will allow you to learn some of the casual greetings that locals use.
You can also learn some slang by watching Spanish television, or listening to Spanish music, especially pop
Step 2. Use "¿ Qué onda ?
"(kei ON-dah) in Mexican. The literal translation is ("what wave?") which may feel disconnected. However, this phrase is commonly used as a casual and informal greeting, usually meaning "What's wrong?" Watch your tone, because this phrase can also be interpreted as "Do you mind?"
- Another common way of saying "hello" in Mexico is " Quiubole " or " Q'bole " (KYU boh-leh).
- "¿ Que onda ?" also commonly used in many other parts of Latin America. If you hear someone say it, feel free to use it too.
Step 3. Try "¿ Qué más ?
"(key mas) in Colombia. This phrase literally means "What else?", but is commonly used as a greeting in Colombia and some other Latin American countries to roughly mean "How are you?"
Step 4. Use "¿ Qué hay ?
"(key ay) or "¿ Qué tal ?" (key tal) in Spanish. These two phrases are used as colloquial greetings in Spanish, similar to how you would say "Hey!" or "How are you?" to a friend..
Step 5. Learn everyday responses to greetings in Spanish
Just as you can greet someone using colloquial slang or phrases, you can also return greetings in a similar way. This phrase is generally used of friends or acquaintances, or people of the same age.
- One common greeting response is "¡ No me quejo !" (no mey KEY-hoh), or "Can't complain!"
- You can also reply with " Es lo que hay " (ess loh key hey), which means "That's how it is." This phrase can be a smart reply if it's called "¿ Qué es la que hay ?" (key ess lah key hey), which is a common greeting slang in Puerto Rico.
