hello
"Hola" is the fundamental Spanish greeting, used to acknowledge someone's presence or initiate a conversation. It is a warm, versatile word that functions much like "hello" or "hi" in English, serving as the universal bridge to start a social interaction regardless of the time of day. Unlike some languages that have complex honorifics attached to greetings, "hola" is universally appropriate for friends, family, and acquaintances. While it is inherently casual, it remains the standard way to begin almost any informal or semi-formal interaction. It is frequently paired with time-based greetings like "buenos días" or followed by inquiries like "¿cómo estás?" to maintain a friendly flow.
In conversation
Meeting a friend at a cafe
¡Hola, Juan! ¿Qué tal todo?
Hi, Juan! How is everything?
¡Hola! Todo muy bien, gracias.
Hello! Everything is great, thanks.
A standard, friendly exchange between two friends.
Calling a colleague
Hola, ¿está Carlos?
Hello, is Carlos there?
Hola, sí, un momento por favor.
Hello, yes, one moment please.
Used here as a polite but informal way to initiate a request over the phone.
Examples
Hola, ¿cómo estás?
Hello, how are you?
¡Hola a todos! Bienvenidos a la clase.
Hello everyone! Welcome to the class.
Le dije hola cuando pasé por su lado en el pasillo.
I said hello to him when I passed by him in the hallway.
