How Are You in Spanish - 7 Phrases & Examples
There are several ways to say how are you in Spanish, including:
- ¿Cómo estás? (How are you?)
- ¿Cómo te va? (How’s it going?)
- ¿Cómo va todo? (How’s everything going?)
- ¿Qué tal? (What’s up?)
- ¿Cómo has estado? (How have you been?)
- ¿Cómo te ha ido? (How have you been?)
- ¿Cómo andas? (How are you?)
Cómo estás (pronounced “ko-mo-ehs-taas”) is the simplest and one of the most common ways to say “how are you” in Spanish. Although it is considered more casual than other options, “cómo estás” is widely acceptable in both formal and informal settings (e.g., “Hola, mucho gusto. Soy Dra. López. ¿Cómo estás?”).
¿Cómo estás?
“Cómo estás” means “how are you” in Spanish. This phrase is considered informal compared to its variants, but it’s extremely popular and widely used in almost all contexts.
“Cómo estás” is the singular form of this phrase. If you were talking to a group of people, you’d say “cómo están” (e.g., “¿Cómo están todos?”).
[Hello, how are you? I’ve heard a lot about you.]
¿Cómo estás y en qué te puedo ayudar?
[How are you and how can I help you?]
Hace rato que no nos vemos. ¿Cómo están, primos?
[We haven’t seen each other in a while. How are you all doing, cousins?]
“Cómo está” (without an “s”) is a more formal way to say “cómo estás” and is used when you want to convey respect toward someone. It’s also common and acceptable to say “cómo está usted,” although the use of the pronoun “usted” is not necessary.
Keep in mind that the plural form of “cómo está usted” is “cómo están ustedes.”
| Phrase | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ¿Cómo está?
or ¿Como está usted? |
Formal phrase used when greeting one person | Encantada de conocerla, señora Flores. ¿Cómo está?
[It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Flores. How are you?] |
| ¿Cómo están ustedes? | Formal phrase used when meeting a group of people | ¿Cómo están ustedes, abuelos?
[How are you, grandparents?] |
However, the gender inclusive use of “e” in place of “o” or “a” is not officially recognized and might lead to mixed reactions, as some people believe that the language should maintain the traditional spelling and grammar conventions that make it unique.
¿Cómo te va?
“Cómo te va” (pronounced “ko-mo-teh-vaa”) is another way to say “how are you” in Spanish, though it’s closer to saying “how’s it going?”
This phrase is casual and often used with friends, colleagues, family members, and even strangers, like a taxi driver or cashier at a grocery store.
[Hi Alex! How’s it going today?]
Estaba pensando en ti. ¿Cómo te va?
[I was thinking about you. How’s it going?]
La última vez que hablamos, estabas buscando trabajo. ¿Cómo te va ahora?
[Last time we spoke, you were looking for a job. How’s it going now?]
In Spanish, the use of “le” is considered more formal and polite than “te.” Therefore, “cómo le va” is the variant you should use when communicating with someone older than you or with whom you want to convey respect. “Cómo le va a usted” is another formal way of saying “how are you,” although it is common and acceptable to drop the pronoun “usted.”
| Phrase | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ¿Cómo le va?
or ¿Cómo le va a usted? |
Formal phrase used when greeting one person | Es un placer conocerlo. ¿Cómo le va?
[It’s a pleasure to meet you. How’s it going?] |
¿Cómo va todo?
“Cómo va todo” (pronounced “ko-mo-vaa-toh-doh”) is another way to say “how are you” in Spanish, but it is more closely translated as “how’s everything going?”
This phrase is considered informal and should be used with friends, family members, or anyone else you’re having a casual conversation with.
[How’s everything going, Luisa? Do you like your new apartment?]
Gracias por recogerme. ¿Cómo va todo?
[Thanks for picking me up. How’s everything going?]
Cuéntame de tu vida. ¿Cómo va todo?
[Tell me about your life. How’s everything going?]
¿Qué tal?
“Qué tal” (pronounced “keh-taal”) is an informal way to say “how are you” in Spanish. It’s similar to saying, “What’s up?” and should therefore only be used in casual contexts and avoided in formal settings.
[What’s up, Emilio? Did you like the movie?]
Hola, ¿qué tal? Soy Daniel. Mucho gusto.
[Hi, what’s up? I’m Daniel. Nice to meet you.]
¿Qué tal, todo bien?
[What’s up? Everything okay?]
¿Cómo has estado?
“Cómo has estado” (pronounced “ko-mo-aas-eh-staa-doh”) is a popular Spanish greeting that can be used to say “how are you,” though it’s more similar to saying “how have you been?” The phrase is singular, so it should only be used when greeting one person.
“Cómo han estado” (pronounced “ko-mo-aan-eh-staa-doh”) is the plural form of the phrase and is used to greet a group of people.
[How have you been, Aunt Lourdes?]
¡Mucho tiempo sin vernos, José! ¿Cómo has estado?
[Long time no see, Jose! How have you been?]
¡Qué gusto verlos! ¿Cómo han estado?
[So nice to see you all! How have you all been?]
¿Cómo te ha ido?
“Cómo te ha ido” (pronounced “ko-mo-teh-aah-ee-doh”) means “how have you been” and is an informal way to say “how are you” in Spanish.
It’s a singular phrase that can be used when catching up with a friend, acquaintance, colleague, family member, or anyone else you can have a casual conversation with.
[We haven’t seen each other in about a month! How have you been?]
Te he extrañado. ¿Cómo te ha ido?
[I’ve missed you. How have you been?]
¿Cómo te ha ido? Cuéntame de tus aventuras.
[How have you been doing? Tell me about your adventures.]
¿Cómo andas?
“Cómo andas” (pronounced “ko-mo-aahn-daas”) is another simple and popular way to say “how are you” in Spanish. It’s used casually among friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances.
“Cómo andas” is the singular form of the phrase, while “cómo andan” (with an “n”) is the plural form used when greeting a group of people.
[Sit down and eat with us. Tell us how you’re doing.]
Hola, Andrea. ¿Cómo andas?
[Hi, Andrea. How are you?]
¿Cómo andan, compañeros? ¿Necesitan ayuda con el proyecto?
[How are you, friends? Do you need help with the project?]
“Cómo anda” (pronounced “ko-mo-aahn-daa”) is a more formal variant of this phrase and can be used if you want to be more polite or convey respect.
| Phrase | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ¿Cómo anda? | Formal phrase used when greeting one person | Gracias por la invitación, doña María. ¿Cómo anda? [Thanks for the invitation, Mrs. Maria. How are you?] |
How to respond to how are you in Spanish
When someone says “how are you” in Spanish (e.g., “¿Cómo estás?”), you can respond by saying “Muy bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?” which means “Very well, thank you. And you?”
However, there are many ways to respond depending on the specific “how are you” phrase being used.
| Phrase | Response |
|---|---|
| ¿Cómo estás? | Estoy bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?
[I’m well, thank you. How about you?] |
| ¿Cómo te va? | Me va bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?
[I’m doing fine, thank you. How about you?] |
| ¿Cómo va todo? | Todo va bien, gracias. ¿Y cómo va todo para ti?
[Everything is going well, thank you. And how is everything going for you?] |
| ¿Qué tal? | Todo bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?
[All is well, thanks. How about you?] |
| ¿Cómo has estado? | He estado bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?
[I’ve been well, thank you. How about you?] |
| ¿Cómo te ha ido? | Me ha ido muy bien, gracias. ¿Y cómo te ha ido para ti?
[It’s been going very well, thank you. How has it been going for you?] |
| ¿Cómo andas? | Ando bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?
[I’m well, thank you. How about you?] |
Remember, “usted” is considered the formal form of “tú.” Therefore, when you want to be polite or show respect, use “usted” instead of “tu” (e.g., “Muy bien, gracias. ¿Y usted?”).
Frequently asked questions about how are you in Spanish
- How do you say good morning how are you in Spanish?
-
“Buenos días, ¿cómo estás?” is how to say “good morning, how are you” in Spanish.
“Buenos días” (pronounced “boo-eh-nos-dee-aas”) means “good morning,” while “cómo estás” (pronounced “ko-mo-ehs-taas”) is one of many ways to say “how are you” in Spanish.
- How do you say how are you doing in Spanish?
-
“¿Cómo te va?” (pronounced “ko-mo-teh-vaa”) is a casual way to say “how are you doing” or “how are you” in Spanish (e.g., “¿Cómo te va, amigo?”)
- How do you say hi how are you in Spanish?
-
“Hola” (pronounced “oh-laa”) means “hi” or “hello” in Spanish, while “cómo estás” (pronounced “ko-mo-ehs-taas”) is one of the most common ways to say “how are you” in Spanish.
Therefore, “Hola, ¿cómo estás?” is how to say “Hi, how are you?” in Spanish.
