Greetings Like a Local in Spain
Master the everyday greetings that native Spanish speakers actually use — from morning coffee to evening tapas.
Key phrases
¡Buenas! ¿Qué tal?
Hey! How's it going?
¿Qué hay?
What's up?
Encantado de conocerte
Nice to meet you
¿Cómo te va?
How are things going for you?
Hasta luego
See you later
¡Que tengas buen día!
Have a great day!
Why Greetings Matter
In Spain, greetings aren’t just pleasantries — they’re the foundation of every social interaction. Skipping a greeting or using the wrong formality level can set the wrong tone for your entire conversation.
Formal vs. Informal
The biggest difference in Spanish greetings comes down to tú (informal) vs. usted (formal). When in doubt, start with usted and let the other person suggest switching to tú. You’ll hear “puedes tutearme” (you can use tú with me) — that’s your green light to relax.
Time-Based Greetings
- Buenos días — Good morning (until lunch, around 2 PM in Spain!)
- Buenas tardes — Good afternoon (2 PM to ~8 PM)
- Buenas noches — Good evening/night
Or just say “¡Buenas!” and you’re covered no matter what time it is.
Cultural Tip
In Spain, expect two kisses on the cheek (right, then left) when greeting friends and acquaintances. In Latin America, it’s usually just one. In business settings, a handshake is standard.
This lesson is just the icebreaker — the full social playbook is in Social Life and Relationships, part of our Speak Spanish Like a Native book series.