A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Hi" in Spanish
Learn how to use 'Hola', the most common and versatile way to say hello in Spanish, suitable for almost any situation or person you meet.
Hola
OH-lahneutral
Spanish TTS · 0:01
Use this when walking into a shop, greeting a friend, or starting a conversation with a stranger. It works perfectly at any time of day, whether morning or night.
Alternatives
- Buenos díasuse this specifically for mornings before noon
- Buenas tardesuse this from the afternoon until sunset
- Buenas nochesuse this once it is dark outside
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing the H
The 'h' in Spanish is always silent, so never pronounce it like the 'h' in 'house'.
A small cultural note
While 'Hola' is universal, many Latin American countries pair it with a quick '¿Cómo estás?' to show friendliness. It is rarely considered rude to use it alone, but adding a follow-up question makes you sound more natural.
Frequently asked
Is hola formal or informal?
It is considered neutral and works in almost any social setting. You can safely use it with your boss, a waiter, or a new acquaintance.
Can I use hola at night?
Yes, you can use it at any time of the day or night. It does not change based on the clock like 'good morning' or 'good evening' do.
How do I reply to hola?
You can simply reply with 'Hola' back to the person. If you want to be more conversational, follow it up with '¿Cómo estás?' to ask how they are doing.
Is it hola or ola?
The correct spelling is 'hola' with an H. The H is silent in Spanish, so it sounds like 'ola'.
How do you say hi in Spanish other than hola?
You can use 'Buenos días' for good morning, 'Buenas tardes' for good afternoon, or 'Buenas noches' for good evening.
How to say hi in Spanish formal?
For a formal greeting, you can use 'Buenos días', 'Buenas tardes', or 'Buenas noches'. You can also use 'Hola, señor/señora/señorita'.
How to say hi in Spanish to a friend?
To a friend, you can simply say 'Hola'. You could also add 'qué tal?' or 'cómo estás?' which means 'what's up?' or 'how are you?'.
