1. The Universal Greeting

There is one word you can use at any time, with any person — in shops, with teachers, or strangers.

2. Greetings by Time of Day

These are polite and standard. Use them in shops, with teachers, or with people you don't know well.

3. Asking "How are you?"

In Spanish we change the form depending on who we're talking to: formal (boss, elderly, strangers) vs informal (friends, family, classmates).

Other answers: Muy bien (very well), Más o menos (so-so), Mal (bad).

4. Street & Colloquial Greetings

Want to sound like a native? Use these with friends or in casual situations. You will hear them on the street every day. Avoid with bosses or in very formal settings.

👋

Anywhere

¡Buenas!

Short for Buenos días / Buenas tardes / Buenas noches. Use it any time of day — very common.

Mexico

¿Qué onda?

Literal: "What wave?"

Meaning: "What's up?" / "What's the vibe?"

Colombia

¿Qué más?

Literal: "What else?"

Meaning: "What's new?" / "What's up?"

In Spain you might also hear ¿Qué tal? or ¿Cómo vamos? — same idea: casual "how's it going?"

5. Farewells (Despedidas)

Don't just walk away! Here is how to say goodbye — formal/standard vs informal/casual.

Culture: Body Language

Greetings are not only words. In many Spanish-speaking countries, people also use these gestures.

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