How to Say "How Are You" in Spanish
In Spanish, the everyday way to say “how are you” is ¿Cómo estás? Use ¿Cómo está? for a formal singular “you” and ¿Cómo están? for a group.
The most common way
¿ ?
How are you? in an everyday, informal way to one person.
How to say it: Stress the first syllable of cómo and the last syllable of estás; let your voice rise at the end.
Other ways to say it
- formal
¿ ?
How are you? speaking to one person formally or respectfully.
When to use it: Use it with strangers, older people, clients, or anyone you address as usted.
- casual
¿ ?
How’s it going? or How are things? A relaxed general check-in.
When to use it: Use it with friends, classmates, and people you already know well.
- friendly
¿ ?
How’s it going for you? A friendly, slightly more personal check-in.
When to use it: Use it with friends or peers when you want a relaxed “how are things with you?”
- plural
¿ ?
How are you? to a group, or formal plural “you all.”
When to use it: Use it when speaking to several people or to more than one person respectfully.
- casual, Latin America
¿ ?
How are you doing? or How’s it going? Casual and friendly.
When to use it: Use it with friends or acquaintances in casual conversation, especially in Latin America.
In a conversation
- A
, . ¿ ?
Hi, Marta. How are you?
- B
, . ¿ ?
Very well, thanks. And you?
- A
. ¿ ?
All good. How’s work?
Common mistakes
¿Cómo eres?→ ¿Cómo estás?Eres asks what someone is like in personality, not how they are right now.
Estoy bueno.→ Estoy bien.Estoy bueno can suggest “I’m attractive” or describe quality, not general wellbeing.