Hola
everyday
To say hi in El Salvador, use Hola or the short Buenas. Among friends, ¿Qué onda? is a casual way to ask what is up.
Meaning: casual greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| Hola | everyday |
| Buenas | casual short |
| ¿Qué onda? | slang, El Salvador |
¿Qué onda? is for friends and younger people. A common reply is Aquí, nada or Todo bien.
Which one should you use?
Hola is neutral. Buenas fits any time of day, and ¿Qué onda? is informal.
Did you know?
- ¿Qué onda? is also used in Mexico and other countries but sounds natural in El Salvador too.
Examples in context
- Hola, ¿qué tal?Hi, how are you?
- Buenas, vecino.Hi, neighbor.
- ¿Qué onda, vos?What's up, you?
Example conversation
Gerardo meets his friend Mauricio outside a school in San Salvador.
- Gerardo¿Qué onda, Mauricio?What's up, Mauricio?
- MauricioTodo bien, vos. ¿Y vos?All good. And you?
- GerardoAquí, saliendo de clase.Here, leaving class.
