What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down into cómo, meaning "how" and estás, which means "you are". The word estás is the second-person singular conjugation of the verb estar, which is used for temporary states or conditions.
Which one should you use?
While cómo estás is used for a single person in an informal context, other forms exist for different situations: cómo está is used for a single person in a formal context and cómo están is used when addressing a group of two or more people (plural).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, cómo estás is a common way to ask about someone's well-being. In Spain, people often use the phrase ¿Qué tal? to inquire about someone's well-being.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a single person formally, use cómo está instead of cómo estás. When addressing a group of two or more people, use cómo están.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌkomo esˈtas/
When do people say it?
When someone asks how you are, a standard and polite response to cómo estás is bien, gracias (well, thanks). In Spain, typical responses include Bien (fine) or Regular (okay). In Mexico, typical replies include Muy bien (very well) or Mal (bad).
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, the greeting cómo estás is often accompanied by dos besos, which are light kisses on one or both cheeks.
- Using the verb ser instead of estar in a greeting like cómo estás would imply that your current mood is a permanent and unchangeable part of your identity.
- The response más o menos to cómo estás literally means 'more or less' and is used to signal that things are just okay.
Examples in context
- Hola, ¿cómo estás hoy?Hello, how are you doing today?
- ¿Cómo estás con el nuevo trabajo?How are you doing with the new job?
- No te he visto, ¿cómo estás?I haven't seen you, how are you doing?
Example conversation
Sofía and Javier meet at a cafe.
- SofíaHola Javier, ¿cómo estás?Hello Javier, how are you doing?
- JavierMuy bien, Sofía, ¿y tú?Very well, Sofía, and you?
- SofíaTodo bien por aquí.Everything is good over here.
- JavierMe alegra escucharlo.I am happy to hear that.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cómo estás, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
