hola
/ˈola/
The English phrase hello is translated into Spanish as hola. Wiktionary also lists holi and holis.
Meaning: greeting (intj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| hola | /ˈola/ | |
| holi | /ˈoli/ | familiar |
| holis | /ˈolis/ |
The most common way to say hello in Spanish is hola. While hola is a general greeting, Spanish also uses time-specific greetings: Buenos días is used specifically as a morning greeting, typically until around midday. Buenas tardes is used as a greeting from midday until around sunset. And Buenas noches is used specifically as a greeting during nighttime or when parting ways in the evening.
Which one should you use?
While hola is the standard greeting, holi and holis are highly informal, 'cute' variations often used in texting or among close friends.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
hola is the standard, neutral way to say hello and can be used in almost any social situation. holi is a familiar form.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈola/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a verbal 'hello' is often accompanied by a single kiss on the cheek or a light touch of the cheeks, even between casual acquaintances.
- The word hola shares a distant Germanic root with the English word 'hello', making them unexpected cousins in the linguistic family tree.
- The 'cute' versions holi and holis are part of a broader linguistic trend in Spanish where adding an 'i' sound makes a word feel more affectionate or diminutive.
Examples in context
- Dile hola a Jimmy.Say hello to Jimmy.Tatoeba #1240331 by Shishir, translation #53376 by CP
- Tom nunca dice hola.Tom never says hello.Tatoeba #5939755 by arh, translation #5939656 by CK
- Di hola a tus amigos.Say hello to your friends.Tatoeba #741281 by Shishir, translation #70346 by CK
- 113 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and María meet on a street.
- AlejandroHola, María.Hello, María.
- MaríaHola, Alejandro. ¿Cómo estás?Hello, Alejandro. How are you?
- AlejandroMuy bien, gracias.Very well, thanks.
- MaríaMe alegro mucho.I am very glad.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hello” translations and entries hola, holi, holis, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hola, holis, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
