Hola
everyday, Mexico
In Mexico "hi" is Hola. Among friends you will also hear ¿Qué onda? and the short Buenas, and in formal settings Buenos días, Buenas tardes or Buenas noches.
Meaning: greeting (interjection)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| Hola | everyday, Mexico |
| ¿Qué onda? | casual, slang |
| Buenos días | formal |
| Buenas | casual, short greeting |
Hola works at any hour and with anyone. Mexicans often follow it with the person's name or a question like ¿cómo estás?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Use Buenos días until about midday, Buenas tardes in the afternoon and Buenas noches after dark. They sound more polite than a plain Hola.
How do you pronounce it?
The h in hola is silent, so it sounds like "OH-lah".
Did you know?
- In Mexico it is polite to greet people when you enter a small shop, even if nobody greets you first.
Examples in context
- Hola, ¿cómo estás?Hi, how are you?
- Buenas, ¿me da un café?Hi, could I get a coffee?
- ¿Qué onda, güey?What's up, dude?
Example conversation
Ana walks into a small shop in Oaxaca and greets the owner.
- AnaBuenas tardes.Good afternoon.
- DueñoBuenas tardes, ¿qué se le ofrece?Good afternoon, what can I get you?
- AnaHola, busco unas veladoras.Hi, I am looking for some candles.
