Hola
everyday
In Canarian Spanish "hello" is Hola, and Buenas is a short greeting used at any time of day. The words are the same as in Spain, but the accent is softer.
Meaning: greeting (interjection)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| Hola | everyday |
| Buenas | short, informal |
Entering a shop with a quick Buenas is normal, and people answer with the same word.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the Canary Islands people say ustedes for the plural "you" and not vosotros, even among friends.
How do you pronounce it?
Canarians pronounce s without the sharp whistle of northern Spain, and z and c before e and i sound like s. So gracias sounds like "GRAH-syahs".
Did you know?
- The Canary Islands speak a Spanish that is closer to Latin American speech than to the speech of northern Spain, with ustedes in place of vosotros.
Examples in context
- Hola, ¿qué tal?Hello, how are you?
- Buenas, ¿me pone un café?Hello, could I have a coffee?
Example conversation
Yaiza walks into a bakery in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
- YaizaBuenas.Hello.
- PanaderoBuenas, ¿qué desea?Hello, what would you like?
- YaizaUna barra de pan, por favor.A loaf of bread, please.
