¿Cómo están?
To say "how are you (plural)" in Spanish, use ¿Cómo están?
This phrase is a greeting used to ask about the well-being of two or more people.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Cómo literally means "how".
Which one should you use?
In Latin American Spanish, ¿Cómo están? is used for both formal and informal plural "you". In contrast, in Spain, the standard informal version is ¿Cómo estáis?
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the informal plural "you" is expressed with the form ¿Cómo estáis? instead of ¿Cómo están?
When do people say it?
A common response to ¿Cómo están? is Bien, gracias (Fine, thanks).
Did you know?
- In some Latin American regions, you might hear ¿Cómo andan? instead of ¿Cómo están? This literally asks 'how are you walking', but it is a common way to ask how a group is doing.
- The word cómo comes from the Latin quōmodo, which meant 'in what way'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, ¿Cómo están? is often treated as a phatic expression rather than a genuine question. It is frequently used as a synonym for 'hello' and may not require a detailed answer about one's health.
Examples in context
- Hola, ¿cómo están?Hello, how are you (all)?
Example conversation
María greets Javier and his family at a restaurant.
- María¡Hola! ¿Cómo están?Hi! How are you all?
- JavierEstamos muy bien, gracias.We are very well, thank you.
- MaríaMe alegra mucho escuchar eso.I am very glad to hear that.
- JavierGracias, María. ¿Y tú cómo estás?Thanks, María. And how are you?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cómo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
