Ever wondered how do you say hi in Spanish when meeting someone new?
The short answer is simple — you say “Hola!” (pronounced OH-lah). But that’s just the beginning!
Spanish has a rich and expressive culture, and just like in English, there are many different ways to greet people, depending on the time of day, your relationship, and even the country you’re in.
So, grab your imaginary passport ✈️ — we’re about to explore the warm and wonderful world of Spanish greetings!
🌞 The Classic “Hi” | Hola
Let’s start with the word you probably already know: Hola.
Hola means “hi” or “hello”, and you can use it anytime, anywhere. It’s friendly, universal, and works in both formal and informal situations.
🗣 Pronunciation tip: The “h” in Spanish is silent, so it sounds like OH-lah, not HO-lah.
Examples:
- Hola, ¿cómo estás? → Hi, how are you?
- Hola, buenos días. → Hello, good morning.
👉 You can use “hola” when greeting a friend, a stranger, or even in a business email. It’s the most flexible greeting in Spanish!
🌇 Time Based Greetings
Just like English, Spanish has different greetings based on the time of day.
| English Greeting | Spanish Equivalent | Pronunciation | When to Use |
| Good morning | Buenos días | BWEH-nos DEE-as | Morning (until noon) |
| Good afternoon | Buenas tardes | BWEH-nas TAR-des | Noon to sunset |
| Good evening / night | Buenas noches | BWEH-nas NOH-ches | After sunset or at bedtime |
💡 Cultural note: In many Spanish-speaking countries, people greet each other with a kiss on the cheek (or two!) or a friendly handshake, depending on how close they are.
🗣️ Informal Greetings Between Friends
When chatting with friends or people your age, you can use more casual ways to say hi.
Here are some fun options:
- ¡Qué tal! → What’s up? / How’s it going?
- ¿Cómo va? → How’s it going?
- ¡Ey! / ¡Hey! → Hey!
- ¿Todo bien? → Everything good?
These phrases are super common in Spain, Mexico, and Latin America, and they make you sound natural and friendly 😄
🧑💼 Formal Greetings for Polite Situations
If you’re meeting someone older, at work, or in a professional setting, go for more respectful phrases:
- Buenos días, señor / señora. → Good morning, sir / ma’am.
- Buenas tardes, profesor. → Good afternoon, professor.
- Un placer conocerle. → A pleasure to meet you.
👉 Notice that formal greetings often include titles like señor (Mr.), señora (Mrs.), or profesor (teacher).
💬 Common Follow Up Phrases After Saying “Hi”
Once you say “hola,” the conversation usually continues! Here are a few common follow-up questions and replies:
| Spanish Phrase | English Meaning |
| ¿Cómo estás? | How are you? (informal) |
| ¿Cómo está usted? | How are you? (formal) |
| Estoy bien, gracias. | I’m fine, thank you. |
| ¿Y tú? / ¿Y usted? | And you? (informal / formal) |
| Mucho gusto. | Nice to meet you. |
| Adiós. | Goodbye. |
| Nos vemos. | See you later. |
💬 Pro tip: “¿Qué tal?” and “¿Cómo estás?” both mean “how are you?”, but “qué tal” sounds a bit more casual and is often used between friends.
🎉 Fun Cultural Fact
In Spanish-speaking countries, greetings are a big deal!
Even if you just pop into a shop, it’s polite to say “buenos días” or “hola” to everyone there — and say “adiós” or “hasta luego” (see you later) when leaving.
It’s all about showing warmth and respect ❤️
🗂️ Mini Spanish Greeting Vocabulary
| Spanish | English | Use |
| Hola | Hi / Hello | Anytime |
| Buenas | Hi / Hello (short form) | Informal |
| Buenos días | Good morning | Morning |
| Buenas tardes | Good afternoon | Afternoon |
| Buenas noches | Good evening / night | Evening |
| ¿Qué tal? | What’s up? | Casual |
| ¿Cómo estás? | How are you? | General |
| Adiós | Goodbye | Any time |
| Hasta luego | See you later | Friendly |
✨ Final Takeaway
So, how do you say hi in Spanish? You now know it’s “Hola”, but you’ve also learned a bunch of new ways to sound more natural and confident!
Whether you’re greeting a friend with “¡Qué tal!” or saying “Buenos días” to your boss, a little effort goes a long way.
Practice these greetings out loud (yes, right now! 😄) — the more you use them, the easier they’ll become.
¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!) 🇪🇸
John Preston is a passionate American author known for his insightful storytelling and thought-provoking narratives. With a deep love for literature and a sharp eye for detail, John crafts stories that not only entertain but also inspire reflection and growth. His modern writing style, combined with relatable characters and real-life settings, has earned him a loyal readership across diverse audiences.
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