Beginning Spanish - Greetings, Good-byes, and Expressions

Spanish Greetings and Farewell Expressions

  • Greetings (Saludos)

    • Hola: Translated as "hello".
    • Buenos días: Translated as "good morning".
    • Buenas tardes: Translated as "good afternoon".
    • Buenas noches: Translated as "good evening" or "goodnight". Note that this expression functions as both a greeting and a goodbye depending on the context of use.

  • Good-byes (Despedidas)

    • Adiós: Translated as "goodbye".
    • Hasta luego: Translated as "see you later".
    • Hasta mañana: Translated as "see you tomorrow".
    • Buenas noches: Translated as "goodnight" or "good evening". Serves dual utility as a greeting or a goodbye.
    • Chao: Translated as "bye".

Inquiring About Well-Being and States of Being

  • Asking How Someone Is Doing or Feeling

    • ¿Cómo estás (tú)?: Translated as "How are you?". Employs the informal pronoun tú for friends, peers, or familiar individuals.
    • ¿Cómo está (usted)?: Translated as "How are you?". Employs the formal pronoun usted (FM) for formal situations or showing respect.
    • ¿Qué tal?: Translated as "How's it going?".
    • ¿Qué pasa?: Translated as "What's up?" or "What's happening?". This expression is slang and is strictly used with individuals with whom you are on a friendly basis.

  • Expressing Feelings and Status with "Yo Estoy"

    • The core construction (Yo) Estoy translates to "I am". It is paired with the following descriptors:
      • bien: "fine", "good", or "well".
      • muy bien: "very fine", "very good", or "very well" (incorporating muy for "very").
      • mal: "bad".
      • regular: "okay" or "alright".
      • más o menos: "so-so".
      • horrible / terrible: "horrible" or "terrible".
      • fantástico(a) / magnífico(a): "fantastic" or "magnificent" (incorporating masculine -o and feminine -a endings).
      • triste: "sad".
      • feliz: "happy".

  • Expressing Internal States and Physical Sensations with "Tengo"

    • Certain physiological states utilize the verb construction Tengo ("I have") rather than "I am":
      • Tengo sed: Translated as "I am thirsty" (literally "I have thirst").
      • Tengo hambre: Translated as "I am hungry" (literally "I have hunger").

Introductions and Names

  • Asking Someone's Name

    • ¿Cómo te llamas?: Translated as "What is your name?" (informal/tu form).
    • ¿Cómo se llama?: Translated as "What is your name?" (formal/usted form) or "What is his/her name?".

  • Answering and Stating Your Name

    • Me llamo...: Translated as "My name is…" (literally "I call myself…").

  • Reciprocating Inquiries

    • ¿Y tú?: Translated as "And you?" (informal).
    • ¿Y usted?: Translated as "And you?" (formal).

Social Courtesies and Formal Titles

  • Courtesies Expressed After Meeting Someone

    • Mucho gusto.: Translated as "Pleased to meet you" or "Nice to meet you."
    • Encantado (a).: Translated as "Delighted." Uses Encantado for a masculine speaker and Encantada for a feminine speaker.
    • Igualmente.: Translated as "Likewise."
    • El gusto es mío.: Translated as "The pleasure is mine."

  • General Conversational Courtesies

    • Gracias.: Translated as "Thank you."
    • De nada.: Translated as "You're welcome."
    • Perdón.: Translated as "Excuse me."

  • Formal Titles and Abbreviations

    • Señor: Title for "Mr." (Abbreviation: Sr.).
    • Señora: Title for "Mrs." (Abbreviation: Sra.).
    • Señorita: Title for "Miss" (Abbreviation: Srta.).