Spanish phrases: Greetings and goodbyes
In Spain, friends and family greet each other with two kisses, one on each cheek; in business, a handshake is usual.
Speed:
- Hola.Hello. / Hi. · fine in almost any situation
- Buenos días.Good morning. · until lunch, about 2 pm in Spain
- Buenas tardes.Good afternoon. / Good evening. · from lunch until about 8 or 9 pm
- Buenas noches.Good evening. / Good night. · late evening and night, both to greet and to say goodbye
- ¿Qué tal?How are things? · informal, very common
- ¿Cómo estás?How are you? · informal ()
- ¿Cómo está usted?How are you? · polite ()
- Bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?Fine, thanks. And you? · polite:
- Adiós.Goodbye.
- Hasta luego.See you later. · also used as a general goodbye
- Hasta mañana.See you tomorrow.
- Nos vemos.See you. · informal