¿Cómo estás hoy?
The English phrase "how are you doing today?" is translated into Spanish as ¿Cómo estás hoy?
This phrase is a friendly greeting used to ask someone about their current well-being or mood.
What does it mean word for word?
The word hoy literally means "today".
Which one should you use?
In English, the phrase specifically includes the word "today", but the Spanish equivalent ¿Cómo estás? is often used without the word hoy to mean the same thing in a casual greeting.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are addressing a group of two or more people, use the plural form ¿Cómo están hoy? instead of the singular forms. When speaking to someone in a formal context, such as a boss, an elder or a stranger, use ¿Cómo está hoy? or ¿Cómo está usted hoy? instead of ¿Cómo estás hoy?
When do people say it?
A common and natural way to respond to this greeting is Bien, gracias. ¿Y tú? (Fine, thanks. And you?).
Did you know?
- In Mexico, a very common casual alternative to ¿Cómo estás? is ¿Qué onda?, which literally translates to 'What wave?'
- The word cómo comes from the Latin cōmō̆, which was a non-literary or colloquial version of the formal word quōmodo.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it is common to answer ¿Cómo estás? with a phrase like Todo bien or Ahí vamos regardless of how the person actually feels.
Examples in context
- Hola, ¿cómo estás hoy?Hello, how are you doing today?
- Dime, ¿cómo estás hoy?Tell me, how are you doing today?
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena meet at a cafe.
- MateoHola Elena, ¿cómo estás hoy?Hello Elena, how are you doing today?
- ElenaEstoy muy bien, gracias Mateo.I am very well, thank you Mateo.
- Mateo¿Quieres un café?Do you want a coffee?
- ElenaSí, por favor.Yes, please.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cómo, hoy, CC BY-SA 4.0.
