Spanish · Greetings & Essentials
"Hello" in Spanish: hola
hola
Hello in Spanish is hola (OH-lah). Say hola to friends, neighbors, and shop staff across Latin America. For morning greetings, pair hola with buenos días.
How to pronounce hola: audio and sound guideMeeting a friend
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How to pronounce hola
Say it
OH-lah
/ˈola/
OH-lah, stress on OH. The h in hola is silent. Keep both vowels clear and short.
"Hello" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| hola | hello, hi Default greeting for almost anyone in Latin America. | Default greeting for almost anyone in Latin America. |
| hola, ¿qué tal? | hi, how's it going? Friendly opener with friends and classmates. | Friendly opener with friends and classmates. |
| buenos días | good morning Polite morning greeting in shops and offices. | Polite morning greeting in shops and offices. |
| buenas tardes | good afternoon Polite greeting from midday until evening. | Polite greeting from midday until evening. |
| ¿qué onda? | what's up? Very casual Mexico and parts of Central America. | Very casual Mexico and parts of Central America. |
How to use hola in real life
- 1Meeting a friend
¡Hola, Ana! ¿Cómo estás?
Hi, Ana! How are you?
Hola plus a name feels warm and natural.
- 2Entering a small store
Hola, ¿tienen agua fría?
Hi, do you have cold water?
Say hola before you ask for anything.
- 3Answering the phone
¿Bueno? Ah, hola, mamá.
Hello? Oh, hi, Mom.
Many Mexicans answer with ¿bueno?, then switch to hola.
Mistakes English speakers make with hola
Incorrect: Ola!
Correct: ¡Hola!
Write the silent h: hola. Ola alone means wave.
Incorrect: Hola, señor Pérez. (very formal meeting)
Correct: Buenos días, señor Pérez.
Hola is fine casually, but titles often pair better with buenos días.
Good to know
Good to knowIn much of Latin America, hola often comes with a hug or a cheek kiss among friends. With strangers, a smile and hola is enough. Skipping hola when you enter a small shop can feel cold.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Greeting a neighbor in the hallway
ChatPal
¡Hola! ¿Ya te mudaste al 4B?
Hi! Did you already move into 4B?
You
¡Hola! Sí, llegué ayer.
Hi! Yes, I arrived yesterday.
ChatPal
Qué bien. Si necesitas algo, avísame.
Nice. If you need anything, let me know.
You
Gracias, nos vemos.
Thanks, see you.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Hello" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Hello" in Spanish
Is hola too informal for strangers?
No. Hola works with waiters, neighbors, and classmates. For a job interview, start with buenos días.
How do you pronounce hola?
OH-lah with a silent h. Stress the first syllable of hola.
Do people say hola on the phone?
Yes after they know who called. The first word may be ¿bueno? or ¿aló?, then hola.
Should I use ustedes after hola?
For a group, say hola a todos. Latin America uses ustedes, not vosotros.
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