What does it mean word for word?
The word cómo literally means how, and estás is the second-person singular conjugation of the verb estar (to be), which is used for temporary states like health or mood.
Which one should you use?
While ¿cómo estás? is used to ask how someone is doing informally, other variations include ¿Qué tal?, which is a more casual way to ask "How's it going?" or "What's up?" You may also use ¿Cómo te va? to ask "How's it going for you?" or "How are things?"
Is it said differently in some regions?
The variation ¿Cómo estás vos? is mostly used in Argentina, Uruguay and some parts of Central America. The expression ¿Cómo te va? is frequently used in Spain and parts of Latin America.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing someone formally, you should use ¿cómo está usted?
When do people say it?
A common and natural response to this greeting is Bien, gracias. (Fine, thank you.).
Did you know?
- While ¿cómo estás? is the standard, in some regions people use ¿qué onda?, which literally means 'what wave?'
- In some Latin American countries, it is common to respond to ¿cómo estás? with más o menos, which translates to 'more or less'.
- The word cómo comes from the Latin cōmō̆, which was a non-literary version of the more formal word quōmodo.
Examples in context
- Hola, ¿cómo estás?Hello, how are you?
- Dime, ¿cómo estás?Tell me, how are you?
Example conversation
Two friends meet at a coffee shop.
- MateoHola Alejandro, ¿cómo estás?Hello Alejandro, how are you?
- ElenaEstoy muy bien, ¿y tú?I am very well, and you?
- MateoTodo bien, gracias por preguntar.Everything is good, thanks for asking.
- ElenaMe alegra mucho escuchar eso.I am very glad to hear that.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cómo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
