Spanish Greetings: How to Express Yourself Like a native
Greetings are an important part of communication in any language, and Spanish is no exception. This post will cover some basic greetings and phrases that will help you express yourself like a native Spanish speaker.

Basic Greetings
- Buenos días: Good morning (used before noon)
- Buenas tardes: Good afternoon (used after noon until evening)
- Buenas noches: Good evening/night (used after sunset)
There are a few different phrases you can use in Spanish When it’s time to say goodbye. The most common is “Adiós,” which is used to say goodbye to someone you might not see again for a while. Other phrases you can use to say goodbye include:
- Hasta luego: See you later
- Hasta la vista: Until we meet again
- Chao: Bye (more casual)
These phrases can be used to say goodbye to friends or acquaintances, depending on the level of familiarity.
Formal vs. Informal Greetings
In Spanish, there are two main ways to address someone: formally and informally. Formal greetings are used when speaking to someone you don’t know well or someone who is older than you or has a higher status. Informal greetings are used when speaking to friends, family, or people you know well. Here are some examples:
Formal greetings

Good morning/afternoon/evening
Buenos días/tardes/noches
How are you? (formal)
¿Cómo está usted?
Nice to meet you (formal)
Mucho gusto
Excuse me (formal)
Con permiso
Informal greetings

Hello
Hola
What’s up?
¿Qué tal?
How are you? (informal)
¿Cómo estás?
Nice to meet you (informal)
Encantado/a
Other Greetings

In addition to the basic greetings, there are other phrases and expressions that you can use to greet someone in Spanish. Here are some examples:
Welcome
Bienvenido/a
Hey, what’s up!
¡Hola, qué tal!
What’s new?
¿Qué hay de nuevo?
Greetings
Saludos
Responding to Greetings
When someone greets you, it’s important to respond suitably. Here are some common responses to Spanish greetings:
I’m good, thanks
Estoy bien, gracias
Hello!
¡Hola!
Good, and you?
Bien, ¿y tú?
Nice to meet you
Encantado/a
Learning Spanish greetings is an essential part of becoming a fluent Spanish speaker. By learning formal and informal greetings you will be able to communicate more effectively in Spanish. Keep practicing and you will soon be greeting others like a native!