How are You in Spanish

After having visited a foreign land, I am of the opinion you should know how to say 'how are you' in the language of the land. Since I am planning to visit a Spanish-speaking country, I am trying to find how to say the same in Spanish. Like me, are you planning to visit a Spanish-speaking country or do you have a flair for languages, hence want to start learning Spanish by learning to respond to 'how are you'?

How to Say 'How are You' in Spanish

Most Spanish speaking people are very friendly language, hence it is natural that you would ask them about their well-being in Spanish. Unlike in English, in Spanish language, there is a differentiation in formal and informal language. Let's take a look at learning how to say this basic courtesy in both variants of the Spanish language.

Informally
If you know someone on a first name basis or if you are talking to a child, you will use "¿Cómo estás?" The approximate pronunciation of '¿Cómo estás?' is "KOE-moe eh-STAHS". The alphabets written in capital in the pronunciation are to be emphasized more. You can use this form when you speak with your family members as well.

Formally
On the other hand, if you are talking to an unknown person, or a person of high respect such as an elder, teacher, priest, judge or colleagues, there is a small difference. You will have to make a small change to the way you are asking 'how are you'. There will be a change to the verb 'estar', that you are using. Now the question will change to "¿Cómo está?". Yeah! I know the only change is that you are removing the 's' from 'estás'. When you are talking to an elder, you will simply have to conjugate the verb differently.

Responding to 'How Are You' In Spanish

I am sure, now you would be inquisitive like me and want to know how does one reply to ¿Cómo estás? Like in English, you will answer 'I am fine' and ask the same question in return to the person. We will see this in a dialog form.

Person1: "¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás?"
You: "Estoy bien. ¿Y tú? "

Now do not get confused with '¡Hola!' written before ¿Cómo estás?. Simply translated, it is Hi or Hello. Since we know '¡Hola!', we should be able to pronounce it correctly as well. In Spanish the alphabet 'h' is silent. Hence, when you say '¡Hola!', it will sound like "oh-la".

If the same has to be answered in informal speech, let's see how will the conversation look like:

Person1: "¡Hola! ¿Cómo está?"
You: "Estoy bien. ¿Y usted? "

The difference lies in the way the word 'you' is used. Both ' tú' and 'usted' mean you, but 'usted' is the more formal form of you.

Along with asking, "how are you", you may want to know some Spanish phrases for travelers. Learn some of the phrases with their meanings, before you make the coveted trip to a Spanish-speaking country. Now that you know how to ask 'how are you', go ahead and use it on your visit to the Spanish-speaking country. However, even if you jumble up the formal and informal form, do not get flustered. Since you are a foreigner, you will not be criticized for using the wrong form, although you may be corrected politely. ¡Buen viaje! (Bon Voyage!)