Greetings

Spanish for Beginners

First impressions count. That's one reason you should learn some of these common greetings before visiting an area where Spanish is spoken. Even if your knowledge of Spanish is rudimentary, it can make your conversation a bit smoother to know some of these statements or questions of common courtesy.
Phrases in common use can vary with location and sometimes with age or social status. But except where indicated, those listed on the page can be used appropriately in almost any situation.

Spanish Meaning Notes
Hola --> Hello, hi
Hola, aló, jaló, bueno, al, diga Hello (on the telephone) The choice of telephone greeting varies with location.
Adiós Goodbye An informal alternative in some areas is chau (sometimes spelled ciao, from Italian).
¿Cómo estás? ¿Cómo está?1 How are you?
Muy bien, gracias Very well, thank you
Buenos días Good day, good morning In some areas, a shortened form, buen día, is used.
Buenas tardes Good afternoon Buenas tardes also should be used in the early evening in preference to buenas noches.
Buenas noches Good night Buenas noches can be used as a greeting as well as a farewell.
¿Cómo te va? ¿Cómo le va?1 ¿Qué tal? ¿Qué hay? How's it going? What's happening?
¿Qué pasa? What's happening?
¿Qué hubo? ¿Qué onda? How is it going? What's happening? These phrases are most common in Mexico.
¿Cómo te llamas? ¿Cómo se llama usted?2 What's your name? A literal translation would be "What do you call yourself?" or, somewhat less literally, "What are you called?"
Me llamo Matt. My name is Matt. A literal translation would be "I call myself Chris" or, somewhat less literally, "I am called Chris."
Mucho gusto. Encantado. It's a pleasure to meet you. These literally mean "much pleasure" and "delighted," respectively, so they would have different meanings in other contexts.
Bienvenido, bienvenida, bienvenidos, bienvenidas3

Mucho gusto. Encantado. exclusive