The standard Spanish greeting “hello” is hola. It works in casual and many polite situations, while time-of-day greetings and regional phone greetings add useful alternatives.
hello in Spanish = hola, pronounced approximately OH-lah.
How Do You Say hello in Spanish?
Hola is the everyday Spanish word for “hello” or “hi.” The written h is silent.
Meaning: hello; hi
Use hola on its own or before someone’s name. To greet someone more specifically, use buenos días in the morning and buenas tardes in the afternoon or early evening.
Different Ways to Express hello
Choose a simple greeting, a time-specific greeting, or a question that naturally starts a conversation. For a more casual opening, compare hey in Spanish.
1. Hola — hello / hi
hola — hello; hi. This is the most versatile everyday greeting. The h is silent, so the word begins with an o sound.
2. Buenos días — good morning
buenos días — good morning. A polite greeting used during the morning. It is plural in form, even when speaking to one person.
3. Buenas tardes — good afternoon
buenas tardes — good afternoon. Use this from midday through the afternoon; the exact transition to evening varies by region and situation.
4. ¿Qué tal? — how are things?
¿Qué tal? — How are things? / What’s up?. This conversational question often follows hola and can function as a friendly greeting.
hello in Spanish: Quick Comparison
Use this comparison to choose the form that best fits your sentence. Pay attention to whether you are counting, describing a quality, or referring to a particular situation.
| Spanish | Meaning | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| hola | hello; hi | General greetings |
| buenos días | good morning | Morning greetings |
| buenas tardes | good afternoon | Afternoon greetings |
| ¿Qué tal? | How are things? / What’s up? | Starting a conversation |
How to Pronounce hola
The h in hola is silent. The word has two syllables, o-la, with stress on the first. In most of Spain, the final s in buenos días is pronounced; accents may soften or aspirate it in some regions.
Example Sentences Using hello
Read each example aloud and notice how the surrounding words give the phrase its exact meaning. The English translation is natural rather than a strict word-for-word rendering.
Meaning: Hi, Ana! How are you?
Use: A friendly greeting followed by an informal question.
Meaning: Good morning, Mr. García.
Use: A polite morning greeting.
Meaning: Hello, how are things?
Use: A natural opener in many casual situations.
Frequently Asked Questions About hello in Spanish
Tap a question below to see the answer.
How do you say hello in Spanish?
Say hola, pronounced roughly “OH-lah.”
Is the h pronounced in hola?
No. The h is silent.
How do I say good morning?
Say buenos días.
Can I use hola in a formal situation?
It is widely understood and often acceptable; for a more formal opening, use a time-specific greeting such as buenos días and the person’s title.
What does qué tal mean?
It is a casual “how are things?” or “what’s up?” and commonly follows hola.
Summary: hello in Spanish
Use hola for a general “hello” or “hi.” Add buenos días or buenas tardes for time-specific greetings, or follow with ¿Qué tal? to start a conversation.
