hola
/ˈola/
The English phrase "hey there" can be translated into Spanish as hola.
hola is used as a greeting to say hello. Other ways to greet someone include the informal phrases ¡Qué tal! (meaning "What's up?" or "How are you?") and ¿Qué pasa? (meaning "What's up?").
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions, people use Buenas as a greeting in both the morning and afternoon instead of saying buenos días or buenas tardes. Additionally, some younger speakers in Spain may use ey as an informal greeting similar to the English expression "hey".
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈola/
Did you know?
- The word hola may have originated from a command to 'stop' or 'stay', much like the French holà used to hail a ferryman.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a greeting like hola is often accompanied by a physical gesture, such as a single kiss on the cheek or a handshake, depending on the level of intimacy.
- The expression ¿Qué pasa? can function as a greeting similar to 'hey there', but it can also be used to express genuine concern if someone looks upset.
Examples in context
- ¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás?Hey there! How are you?
- Hola, ¿qué tal tu día?Hey there, how is your day going?
- Hola, qué gusto verte.Hey there, it's good to see you.
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel meet in a coffee shop.
- Lucía¡Hola, Daniel!Hey there, Daniel!
- Daniel¡Hola, Lucía! ¿Cómo estás?Hey there, Lucía! How are you?
- LucíaMuy bien, gracias.Very well, thank you.
- DanielMe alegro mucho.I'm very glad.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry hola, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hola, CC BY-SA 4.0.
