Which one should you use?
The phrase como você está? uses the verb estar, which is used for temporary states or feelings, rather than ser, which is used for permanent characteristics.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
como você está? is a standard way to address someone in most of Brazil, though it can feel slightly more formal than using no pronoun at all. In casual spoken Brazilian Portuguese, the verb está is frequently shortened to tá in the phrase como você tá? For more formal situations, you can use Como vai você? or Como tem passado? Very informal or colloquial options in Brazil include Beleza? and E aí?, which means "what's up?" or E tudo em cima?, meaning "how's it going?" In Portugal, the informal Como é que estás? and Tudo fixe? are used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazil, Como vai você? is common, as are the informal greetings Beleza?, E aí? and E tudo em cima? The formal Como tem passado? is used in both Brazil and Portugal. The informal Tudo bem? is used in both Brazil and Portugal, while in Portugal, the informal Como é que estás? and Tudo fixe? are typical.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb está is the third-person singular form of estar, used here because você functions grammatically as a third-person pronoun.
When do people say it?
A common response to this greeting is Estou bem (I am well) followed by obrigado if you are male, or obrigada if you are female.
Did you know?
- Using the greeting Beleza? is a common way to ask how someone is, but it literally translates to 'Beauty?'
- The pronoun você actually began as a highly formal way to address someone, literally meaning 'your mercy'.
- The colloquial Brazilian phrase E tudo em cima? literally means 'And everything on top?', acting as a synonym for 'How is it going?'
Examples in context
- Olá, como você está?Hello, how are you?
- Diga-me, como você está?Tell me, how are you?
Example conversation
Gabriel and Beatriz meet at a local cafe.
- GabrielOi, Beatriz, como você está?Hi, Beatriz, how are you?
- BeatrizEu estou bem, e você, Gabriel?I am well, and you, Gabriel?
- GabrielEu também estou muito bem.I am also doing very well.
- BeatrizQue bom saber disso!That is good to know!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries como, está, você, CC BY-SA 4.0.
