¿Cómo estás?
everyday
In Peru the standard way to ask "how are you" is ¿Cómo estás? With older people or in formal settings use ¿Cómo está usted?, and with friends ¿Qué tal? or ¿Todo bien?
Meaning: greeting asking about someone's well-being (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| ¿Cómo estás? | everyday |
| ¿Cómo está usted? | formal |
| ¿Qué tal? | casual |
| ¿Todo bien? | casual |
The usual answer is Bien, gracias, ¿y tú? After the greeting people often add a short comment about work or family before moving on.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Peruvians use tú with friends and peers and usted with elders and strangers. The verb form changes: estás becomes está.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Peruvian Spanish uses tú for informal "you", so you do not need the vos forms heard in Argentina.
Did you know?
- ¿Qué tal? literally means "what such?" and is a short form of a longer question about how things are.
Examples in context
- Hola, ¿cómo estás?Hi, how are you?
- Buenas tardes, ¿cómo está usted?Good afternoon, how are you?
- ¿Qué tal, todo bien?How is it going, all good?
Example conversation
Karen runs into her friend Luis at a supermarket in Lima.
- KarenHola, Luis. ¿Cómo estás?Hi, Luis. How are you?
- LuisBien, gracias. ¿Y tú?Fine, thanks. And you?
- KarenTodo bien, gracias a Dios.All good, thank God.
