hola
standard, Costa Rica
Hello in Costa Rica is hola, and the very common shortcut is buenas. Friends may also greet each other with pura vida.
Meaning: greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| hola | standard, Costa Rica |
| buenas | casual |
| pura vida | casual |
Hola works everywhere. Buenas is what you say when entering a shop or a home. After the greeting, ¿cómo está? is polite and ¿cómo estás? is for people you know well.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Costa Ricans often use usted even with friends and family, so ¿cómo está? is very natural for them.
Did you know?
- A Costa Rican hello often comes with a handshake or a light kiss on the cheek between women or between a woman and a man.
Examples in context
- Hola, ¿cómo está?Hello, how are you?
- Buenas, ¿hay alguien?Hello, is anyone there?
- Pura vida, ¿qué tal?Hey, how is it going?
Example conversation
Tomás meets his new neighbor Laura at the gate.
- TomásHola, mucho gusto. Soy Tomás.Hello, nice to meet you. I am Tomás.
- LauraHola, mucho gusto, Laura.Hello, nice to meet you, I am Laura.
- TomásCualquier cosa me avisa.Let me know if you need anything.
