¿Cómo estás?
neutral
In Venezuela you ask ¿Cómo estás? or the shorter ¿Qué tal? With an older person or in a formal setting, say ¿Cómo está usted?
Meaning: greeting asking about well-being (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| ¿Cómo estás? | neutral |
| ¿Qué tal? | casual |
| ¿Cómo está usted? | formal |
¿Cómo estás? suits friends, classmates and family. ¿Qué tal? is quick and relaxed.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Venezuelans use tú with friends and usted with elders or in respectful situations. The formal question is ¿Cómo está usted?
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the state of Zulia many people use vos, so you may hear ¿Cómo estás vos? there.
Did you know?
- In Zulia, the voseo is a well-known regional feature of the Venezuelan Spanish spoken there.
Examples in context
- Hola, ¿cómo estás?Hi, how are you?
- ¿Qué tal tu familia?How is your family?
- Buenos días, ¿cómo está usted?Good morning, how are you?
Example conversation
Gabriela meets her old teacher at the supermarket.
- GabrielaBuenas tardes, profesor. ¿Cómo está usted?Good afternoon, professor. How are you?
- ProfesorMuy bien, Gabriela. ¿Y tú?Very well, Gabriela. And you?
- GabrielaBien, gracias.Fine, thanks.
