Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| hola | /ˈola/ | |
| holi | /ˈoli/ | familiar |
| holis | /ˈolis/ |
For more specific formal greetings based on the time of day, you can use Buenos días (Good morning) until early afternoon, Buenas tardes (Good afternoon) from roughly noon until evening or Buenas noches (Good evening/night) when meeting someone in the evening or at night. In a formal setting when meeting someone for the first time, Mucho gusto (Pleased to meet you) is often used. To ask how someone is doing formally, you can say Hola, ¿cómo está usted?
Which one should you use?
While hola is a standard greeting suitable for most situations, holi and holis are much more casual and should be avoided in professional settings.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a highly informal and cute way to say hello, often used in texting or among close friends, you can use holi or its variation holis. Other informal options include Buenas, which is a casual shortened version of buenas tardes or buenas noches used any time after noon and ¿Qué tal? to ask about someone's well-being.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈola/
Did you know?
- Depending on the region, hola may be followed by ¿qué onda?, a phrase that literally means 'what wave?' but functions as 'what's up?'
- The word hola may actually have its roots in an ancient command to stop or pay attention, rather than a warm greeting.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a greeting like hola is accompanied by a single or double cheek kiss, known as dos besos in Spain.
Examples in context
- Dile hola a Jimmy.Say hello to Jimmy.This sentence is useful for practicing how to tell someone to say hola to a person.Tatoeba #1240331 by Shishir, translation #53376 by CP
- Tom nunca dice hola.Tom never says hello.This sentence is useful for describing someone who never says hola.Tatoeba #5939755 by arh, translation #5939656 by CK
- Di hola a tus amigos.Say hello to your friends.This sentence is useful for practicing how to tell someone to say hola to their friends.Tatoeba #741281 by Shishir, translation #70346 by CK
- Hola, ¿cómo estás?Hello, how are you?
- ¡Buenos días! Mucho gusto.Good morning! Pleased to meet you.
- Buenas tardes, señor/señoraGood afternoon, sir/madam.
- 113 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Daniel meet on the street.
- María¡Hola, Daniel!Hello, Daniel!
- DanielHola, María. ¿Cómo estás?Hello, María. How are you?
- MaríaMuy bien, gracias.Very well, thanks.
- DanielMe 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.
