24 Methods To Ask ‘How Are You?’ in Spanish + Responses

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To ask “how are you?” in Spanish, some of the primary Spanish phrases is ¿Cómo estás? You’ve additionally doubtless heard the response muy bien (very properly). This works fairly properly while you’re on a first-name foundation with somebody and also you don’t have quite a lot of time to speak. 

As soon as you understand how to say “howdy” in Spanish, apply a number of methods to say “how are you?” Be taught questions and responses to begin your conversations with associates, co-workers, and strangers, in an effort to change between formal and casual dialog with ease. 

How do you say ‘how are you?’ in Spanish? 

There are a number of methods to ask this straightforward query, relying who you’re speaking to. When you’re talking to just one individual, you’ll distinguish between the usted vs. tú types of “you.” Usted is extra formal, whereas tú is acceptable in informal settings. 

• ¿Cómo está (usted)? = How are you? (formal) 
• ¿Cómo estás? = How are you? (casual, singular) 

When you’re talking to a bunch, observe the conjugation of estar (to be) relying on who you’re speaking to. 

• ¿Cómo estáis? = How are you? (plural casual, solely utilized in Spain) 
• ¿Cómo están? = How are you? (plural, each formal/casual in Latin America) 

Notice that the verb estar is the suitable verb to make use of as a result of it’s the verb for “to be” in Spanish that’s used to debate emotions and momentary states of being. When you had been to make use of the verb ser (the opposite verb for “to be”) you’d be asking “what are you want as an individual.”

Formal methods to ask ‘how are you?’

When you’re assembly somebody for the primary time, you’ll need to keep away from utilizing expressions which can be too informal. It could be thought of too ahead, impolite, and even aggressive until you realize the individual properly. As a substitute, stick to a couple of of those extra formal questions that use the usted types of the verb. 

Make sure you begin with a greeting, like “Good afternoon” in Spanish. 

Asking ‘how are you?’ in an informal situation

These expressions are the casual tú types of the expressions above. The slight modifications in conjugation are wanted to match the casual topic professionalnoun. 

When you’re not fairly acquainted sufficient to tutear (handle the individual with tú), a pleasant “hello, how are you?” in Spanish is an effective way to make associates. You’ll get a way after some time when the verb varieties change into extra casual. How lengthy that takes (or if it ever does) is determined by the Spanish-speaking tradition. 

Spanish slang and colloquial phrases for ‘how are you?’

There are additionally slang methods to say “how are you?” in Spanish that adjust between Spanish-speaking international locations and cultures. Hear fastidiously to these round you to see what’s frequent to say, or ask one in all Rosetta Stone’s skilled tutors for some ideas which can be frequent of their regional dialect or era. 

Most of those merely convey the identical which means as “how are you,” however it’s attention-grabbing to see what the phrases would imply in the event that they had been translated word-for-word. You’ll be able to lookup particular person phrases in a trusted useful resource like Spanish Dictionary to see examples of them utilized in context. 

How to answer ‘how are you?’ in Spanish

Many instances you’ll reply to the usual Buenos días, ¿Cómo estás? (Good morning, how are you?) in Spanish with a easy bien, gracias or estoy bien, gracias (I’m properly, thanks). That is frequent and customary typically the place an prolonged dialog isn’t anticipated. 

When you’re gathering with a big group of family and friends members, you might be anticipated to trade greetings with everybody on the occasion, repeating the method to say “goodbye” in Spanish. 

That will take some time, so you might not give too many particulars about your emotions or what’s been occurring until you’re sitting right down to tomar un café (have a espresso) and have a dialog together with your buddy. If that’s the case, you’ll be prepared with some follow-up questions in Spanish. 

As you apply quite a lot of responses, attempt to keep away from the favored but dated así-así (so-so), because it isn’t frequent anymore amongst native audio system. Contemplate some extra natural-sounding alternate options.

Proceed your dialog with a couple of extra particulars. You could possibly ask “what are you doing?” in Spanish, and maybe make a plan to take pleasure in a snack or social occasion collectively.

Becoming in with any group of native audio system

Figuring out easy methods to navigate even the best of conversations inside a brand new tradition takes commentary and curiosity. Memorizing lists of questions and responses will solely get you up to now should you’re not sure when it’s acceptable to make use of formal vs. casual language. Nobody needs to be harassed over the small print of conjugating a daily Spanish verb once they’re assembly a brand new buddy. 

A part of how Rosetta Stone works is to supply alternatives to see these phrases in genuine contexts, between folks of various ages and in several conditions, like assembly for the primary time or greeting knowledgeable. When you’re round native audio system, take note of the greetings they use with one another and don’t be afraid to ask questions. With some steering, you’ll really feel assured in your Spanish conversations.