¿Cómo estás?
informal
In Bolivia you ask ¿Cómo estás? to a friend and ¿Cómo está usted? to someone you respect. ¿Qué tal? is a shorter, casual version.
Meaning: asking about someone's well-being (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| ¿Cómo estás? | informal |
| ¿Cómo está usted? | formal |
| ¿Qué tal? | casual |
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Use usted with older people, officials and strangers. With friends and young people, tú is common.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions of Bolivia, such as parts of the east and south, people use vos, so you can also hear ¿Cómo estás vos?
Did you know?
- Bolivia uses tú, usted and, in some regions, vos, so the right form depends on where you are.
Examples in context
- Hola, ¿cómo estás?Hi, how are you?
- Buenos días, ¿cómo está usted?Good morning, how are you?
- ¿Qué tal tu familia?How is your family?
Example conversation
Paola meets her old teacher Mr. Flores on the street in Tarija.
- PaolaBuenas tardes, profesor. ¿Cómo está usted?Good afternoon, professor. How are you?
- Profesor FloresBien, gracias, ¿y tú?Fine, thanks, and you?
- PaolaMuy bien, gracias.Very well, thank you.
