hola
neutral
In Colombia you say hola for "hello", and buenas is the everyday short form for any time of day. Friends say ¿quiubo? and people answer the phone with aló.
Meaning: greeting (interj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| hola | neutral |
| Buenas | everyday, Colombia |
| ¿Quiubo? | casual, Colombia |
| Aló | phone |
Buenas is used when you enter a shop or join a group. ¿Quiubo? comes from ¿qué hubo? and means "what's up".
Is it said differently in some regions?
Colombians answer the phone with aló, where Spain would use diga or Mexico bueno.
Did you know?
- Using aló for a phone call is typical of Colombia, and the word itself is borrowed from the English "hello".
Examples in context
- Hola, ¿cómo estás?Hello, how are you?
- Buenas, ¿tienen pan?Hello, do you have bread?
- ¿Quiubo, parce?What's up, bro?
Example conversation
Carolina enters a bakery in Bogotá and speaks to the clerk.
- CarolinaBuenas. ¿Me regala dos panes?Hello. Could I have two breads?
- VendedorBuenas, con gusto.Hello, with pleasure.
- CarolinaGracias.Thank you.
