Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| encantado | /enkanˈtado/ |
| ¿cómo está usted? |
Encantado is the standard response or greeting used during a formal introduction to express pleasure in meeting someone. ¿Cómo está usted? is a formal way to ask how someone is.
What does it mean word for word?
The word encantado literally means 'enchanted' or 'delighted'.
Which one should you use?
While ¿cómo está usted? is a literal question about one's well-being, encantado is used specifically as a greeting when being introduced to someone for the first time.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
¿Cómo está usted? is a formal way to ask how someone is, whereas ¿cómo estás? would be the informal version.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, it is common to use the phrase ¿Qué tal? to greet people. In Mexico, you may come across ¿Cómo le va? In Argentina and Uruguay, an even more informal version of 'How do you do?' is ¿Cómo andás?
How does it change in a sentence?
The form encantado changes to encantada if the speaker is female.
How do you pronounce it?
/enkanˈtado/
Did you know?
- The formal pronoun usted has a fascinating history, originating from the phrase vuestra merced, which translates to 'your mercy' or 'your grace'.
- In Argentina and Uruguay, the phrase ¿Cómo andás? literally asks 'how are you walking', though it functions as a greeting.
- While ¿Cómo está usted? is a question, in many formal Spanish circles it functions as a ritualized greeting where a detailed answer about health is not actually expected.
Examples in context
- ¿Cómo está usted?How do you do?This sentence is useful for practicing the formal question ¿cómo está usted?Tatoeba #1308776 by Shishir, translation #1285339 by riccioberto
- ¡Buenos días! ¿Cómo está usted?Good morning! How do you do?
- Mucho gusto, encantado de conocerlo.Nice to meet you, delighted to meet you.
- Soy el nuevo vecino, encantado.I am the new neighbor, pleased to meet you.
Example conversation
Javier introduces himself to Elena at a social gathering.
- ElenaHola, soy Elena.Hello, I am Elena.
- JavierMucho gusto, soy Javier, encantado.Nice to meet you, I am Javier, pleased to meet you.
- ElenaEl gusto es mío.The pleasure is mine.
- Javier¿Viene de lejos?Are you from far away?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “how do you do” translations and entries encantado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cómo, usted, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
