hola
standard, everyday
In Colombia hi is hola. People also say buenas as a quick hello, and ¿Qué más? as a friendly way to greet someone. It is also called qué más.
Meaning: informal greeting (interjection)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| hola | standard, everyday |
| buenas | casual, Colombia |
| qué más | casual, Colombia |
Hola works with everybody. Buenas is shorter and friendly. ¿Qué más? literally means "what else?" and works like "how are things", so it is a greeting and a question at once.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Many Colombians greet with ¿Qué más? and answer with Bien, ¿y tú? or Bien, gracias.
Did you know?
- The h in hola is silent in Spanish.
Examples in context
- Hola, ¿cómo estás?Hi, how are you?
- Buenas, ¿qué más?Hi, how are things?
- Hola a todos.Hi, everyone.
Example conversation
Paula meets her colleague Diego at the office in Bogotá.
- PaulaHola, Diego. ¿Qué más?Hi, Diego. How are things?
- DiegoHola, Paula. Bien, ¿y tú?Hi, Paula. Good, and you?
- PaulaBien, gracias.Good, thanks.
