hola
/ˈola/“¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás?”
Hello! How are you?
A common greeting used to say hello or to get someone's attention.
Hola, ¿puedo ayudarte?
Hello, can I help you?
Used in both formal and informal contexts, though 'hola' is more casual than 'buenos días'.
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal
'Hola' is generally informal. For more formal settings, use 'buenos días' (good morning), 'buenas tardes' (good afternoon), or 'buenas noches' (good evening).
⚡Gold Rule
Common Usage
'Hola' is one of the most common greetings in Spanish and is used in both spoken and written communication.
📖Word Origin
From the Latin 'holus', meaning 'whole' or 'healthy'. The modern usage as a greeting likely comes from the phrase 'hola, ¿qué tal?' meaning 'hello, how are you?'
📝Usage Notes
In some Latin American countries, 'hola' is often used as a standalone greeting without additional words. In Spain, it may be followed by 'buenas' (good) or 'qué tal' (how are you).