Hola
everyday
In Peruvian Spanish "hello" is Hola. Use Buenos días, Buenas tardes or Buenas noches to match the time of day, and Aló when answering the phone.
Meaning: greeting (interjection)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| Hola | everyday |
| Buenos días | morning |
| Aló | phone |
Add ¿Cómo estás? after Hola to keep the greeting friendly. With elders and in offices, start with the time-of-day phrase.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Peruvians answer the phone with ¿Aló?, while Mexicans often say ¿Bueno? and Spaniards ¿Diga?
Did you know?
- Hola is one of the few Spanish words that starts with a silent h.
Examples in context
- Hola, ¿cómo estás?Hello, how are you?
- Buenas tardes, señora.Good afternoon, madam.
- ¿Aló? ¿Quién habla?Hello? Who is speaking?
Example conversation
Ana answers her phone and speaks with her friend Mateo in Lima.
- Ana¿Aló?Hello?
- MateoHola, Ana. Soy Mateo.Hello, Ana. It is Mateo.
- AnaHola, Mateo. ¿Cómo estás?Hi, Mateo. How are you?
