¿Cómo estás?
The English phrase "how are you?" is translated into Spanish as ¿Cómo estás?
Depending on the situation, you might use other expressions: ¿Qué tal? is a popular way to say "What's up?" among friends and acquaintances and ¿Cómo te va? is used in informal settings to ask how someone is doing. For a more polite approach, you can use ¿Cómo le va?, which means "How is it going for you?" and is common in Spain and Latin American countries.
What does it mean word for word?
The word Cómo literally means "how".
Which one should you use?
The default form ¿Cómo estás? uses the informal "tú" conjugation and should be used with friends, family or people your age. In contrast, ¿Cómo se encuentra? is a formal way to ask someone how they are doing.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing more than one person, use the plural form ¿Cómo están?
When do people say it?
A common and natural response to these questions is Bien, gracias, which means "Fine, thanks."
Did you know?
- In some parts of Latin America, specifically Mexico, you might hear ¿Qué onda? instead of ¿Cómo estás? It literally means 'what wave?' but functions as a very common 'what's up?'
- The Latin ancestor of cómo was cōmō̆, a non-literary form of the more formal quōmodo. This shows that even ancient speakers had a distinction between casual and 'standard' ways of asking 'how'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, asking ¿Cómo estás? is often a polite ritual rather than a genuine inquiry into one's health. It is frequently used as a synonym for 'hello' and does not always require a detailed answer.
Examples in context
- Hola, ¿cómo estás?Hello, how are you?
- Dime, ¿cómo estás?Tell me, how are you?
Example conversation
Two friends meet in a park.
- JavierHola, Elena. ¿Cómo estás?Hello, Elena. How are you?
- ElenaMuy bien, Javier. ¿Y tú?Very well, Javier. And you?
- JavierEstoy muy bien también.I am very well too.
- ElenaQué bueno saberlo.That is good to know.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cómo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
