hola mamá, ¿cómo estás?
The English phrase "hi mom, how are you?" is translated into Spanish as hola mamá, ¿cómo estás?
This phrase is an informal greeting used to say hello to one's mother and ask about her well-being.
Which one should you use?
While hola mamá, ¿cómo estás? is the standard informal greeting, you might encounter ¡Saludos, madre! ¿Cómo le va? which is a formal and slightly poetic variation. For a very close relationship, some might use the highly informal ¡¿Qué tal, vieja?! ¿Cómo va todo? or the warm, informal ¡Hey mamá! ¿Cómo te trata la vida?
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, it is common to use the terms mamá or mami to address one's mother.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase ¿cómo estás?, the verb form estás is the informal second-person singular, making it appropriate for addressing a family member. If you were to use ¿cómo está? instead, the greeting would shift to a formal register.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the term vieja (literally 'old woman') is used as a term of endearment for one's mother.
- In many Spanish-speaking families, a greeting to a mother is traditionally accompanied by a single kiss on the right cheek.
- The Spanish word mamá is not a native Latin creation but was adapted from the French word maman.
Examples in context
- Hola mamá, ¿cómo estás? ¿Todo bien?Hi mom, how are you? Everything good?
- Dice: "Hola mamá, ¿cómo estás?" al teléfono.He says, "Hi mom, how are you?" on the phone.
- Siempre le dice: "Hola mamá, ¿cómo estás?" por la mañana.He always says to her, "Hi mom, how are you?" in the morning.
Example conversation
Elena enters the kitchen to greet her mother.
- ElenaHola mamá, ¿cómo estás?Hi mom, how are you?
- MateoHola, Elena. Estoy muy bien, gracias.Hello, Elena. I am very well, thank you.
- Elena¿Quieres que te ayude con la cena?Do you want me to help you with dinner?
- MateoSí, por favor, Mateo también puede ayudar.Yes, please, Mateo can help too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cómo, hola, mamá, CC BY-SA 4.0.
