🗣️ 10 Essential Spanish Greetings You Need to Know

Introduction

Learning to greet someone properly is one of the most important parts of speaking any language — and Spanish is no exception! 🌞

Whether you’re traveling through Latin America, chatting with Spanish-speaking friends, or settling into life abroad, knowing the right greetings helps you make a great first impression.

Let’s explore 10 essential Spanish greetings you can use confidently in any setting — from formal meetings to friendly chats.

1. Hola — Hello

The classic!
Use Hola in almost any situation. It’s friendly, universal, and works both formally and informally.

Hola, ¿cómo estás? — Hi, how are you?

2. Buenos días — Good morning

Used until about noon. Perfect for polite interactions.

Buenos días, señor García. — Good morning, Mr. García.

3. Buenas tardes — Good afternoon

From around noon to sunset.

Buenas tardes, ¿cómo le va? — Good afternoon, how’s it going?

4. Buenas noches — Good evening / Good night

Used in the evening or when saying goodbye at night.

Buenas noches, hasta mañana. — Good night, see you tomorrow.

5. ¿Cómo estás? — How are you? (informal)

¿Cómo está usted? — How are you? (formal)

These phrases open friendly conversations.
Remember: usted is used with strangers, elders, or in formal settings.

6. ¿Qué tal? — What’s up? / How’s it going?

A casual, all-purpose greeting among friends and colleagues.

¡Hola! ¿Qué tal? — Hey! How’s it going?

7. ¿Cómo te va? — How’s everything going?

Another relaxed and natural way to ask about someone’s well-being.

¡Hola, Ana! ¿Cómo te va? — Hi, Ana! How’s it going?

8. Mucho gusto — Nice to meet you

Use this when meeting someone for the first time.

Mucho gusto, soy Ivette. — Nice to meet you, I’m Ivette.

9. Encantado / Encantada — Pleased to meet you

A bit more formal than mucho gusto.
Men say encantado; women say encantada.

Encantada de conocerte. — Pleased to meet you.

10. ¡Hasta luego! — See you later!

A friendly and flexible goodbye — works in almost any setting.
Other variations:

• Hasta pronto! – See you soon!

• Nos vemos! – See you!

💬 Quick Tip

Spanish greetings change slightly depending on the country — in Mexico, Colombia, or Spain, you might hear different local versions.

But the phrases above will be understood and appreciated everywhere in the Spanish-speaking world. 🌎

🧭 Conclusion

Mastering greetings is your first step toward real communication. They open doors to connection and make every interaction warmer.

So, next time you meet someone new, smile and say ¡Hola! — you’re already speaking Spanish! 🇪🇸