Spanish Culture in greetings (formal & informal)
A greeting in itself is used in every culture as a courtesy for one another. Between
friends, family, or even strangers, greeting one another is a sign of respect.
Especially in Spanish speaking countries, giving a proper hello all the way to
goodbye is proper in any setting. Unfortunately it can get a little confusing when
you mix in gender and formal/informal sayings, but we will do our best to break it
down for you. Hispanic formality is not a sign of reserve. It is a mark of respect and
a way of life.
Formal Greetings in Spanish
Tu – Translated to mean “you”, this form is often used when talking to people
you know such as friends and family.
Usted – Also meaning “you”, this form is used for people you don’t know or
when talking to an elder as a sign of respect.
Now that we have that out of the way, here is a list of some of the more
common greetings you can use:
Hello in Spanish – “Hola”
Hola is the most basic way of greeting someone in Spanish. However, do you
typically say hello to everyone? Most likely not. There are hundreds of ways you
can say hello in Spanish and just like English, there are certain situations where
it is proper. However, if you are visiting a Spanish speaking country don’t worry
if you stick to Hola. Natives appreciate you even attempting to use their
language and they will understand what you are saying.
Along with saying hi, it’s also polite to offer either a kiss or handshake. Again this
depends on if you are in a formal or informal setting and you can let the other
party member start if you aren’t sure.
Good Morning in Spanish – Buenos Días
Another popular greeting is saying Good Morning to one another. This is very
common in any country and can easily replace having to say hello in the
mornings. If you find yourself going out to get a cup of coffee or heading to an
early business meeting, use Buenos Dias with your friends or peers.
Good Afternoon in Spanish – Buenas Tardes
Just like saying Good Morning, as the day moves on you can start to say “Good
Afternoon” as a greeting to one another. There isn’t really a set rule on the time
of day, but most will start saying this after 2pm and before 9pm.
Thank You in Spanish – Gracias
Greetings aren’t just saying hi to one another. As you tour around, there are
many situations where you should also say thank you in Spanish to be polite.
From being dropped off by a taxi driver to being greeted at your hotel, use the
Spanish word Gracias as a sign of thanks. Again there are many ways you can
give thanks to one another, but this phrase is the most popular by far.
OK in Spanish – vale
As you start to pick up on more Spanish vocabulary, you may start to hear
responses of vale, meaning ok. You may even find yourself starting to say it
once someone helps you. This may not necessarily be a greeting, but it’s good to
know when traveling.
You’re Welcome in Spanish – De Nada
Once you say thank you to someone, you will more then likely get a de nada in
return. Thanking people and responding with you’re welcome are other
common practices throughout the world, including Spanish speaking countries.
Be sure to give thanks as well as respond in kind.
Have a Good Day in Spanish – Que tengas un buen día
It’s often polite to end a conversation either thanking the person or mentioning
for them to have a good day. This is also customary in most countries so it
shouldn’t be unnatural to finish your conversation with someone by using Que
tengas un buen día.
Come Here in Spanish – Ven aca
You may find this phrase useful if you are traveling abroad and need help
getting around. Instead of yelling at people for help, you can politely asking
them to come here and start a conversation. Whether you need directions, want
to ask a favor, or even help someone with their tie, asking for someone to come
over will work every time.
Goodnight in Spanish – Buenas noches
What’s Up in Spanish – Qué pasa
See You Tomorrow in Spanish – Nos vemos mañana
See You Later in Spanish – Nos vemos más tarde
How are You Doing in Spanish – ¿Como estas?
Have a Great Day in Spanish – Que tengas un gran día
Have a Nice Day in Spanish – Que tengas un buen día
Resource:
Leisurely Lifestyle.Greetings in Spanish. https://leisurelylifestyle.com/greetings-inspanish/