Hello in Spanish: Definition, Pronunciation, and Usage

What Is Hello in Spanish

Hola is Spanish hello.
It is one of the simplest words to pronounce in Spanish.
They use it on a daily basis in an attempt to say hello to other individuals, formally or informally.

Example:

• Hola, amigos. (Hello, friends.)
  

You can use it in person or on the phone anytime. 

Pronunciation 

Hola is OH-lah.

Breakdown:

• Hallo → oh
  
• La → lah
  

Say it slow: OH-lah.
The “h” does not sound so you never really say the whole thing.
Translation is smooth, tongue-friendly, and unobtrusive.

Greetings From Hola

Spaniards welcome with hola and others according to the time of day:

• Buenos días – Good morning. 
• Buenas tardes – Good afternoon. 
• Buenas noches – Good evening or good night.
  

These can be used as an informal greeting with hola.

Informal and Formal Usage

It is informal. It can be used in almost all situations.
But if your style is formal titles and last names:

Formal Examples:

• Hola, señor García. (Hello, Mr. García.) 
• Hola, doctora. (Hello, doctor.)
  

Informal Example:

• Hola, amigo. (Hi, friend.)
  

Some Spanish Hello Greetings

There are one or two such informal Spanish greetings. There is formal hola but there are a lot of other greetings too:

• ¿Qué pasa? – What’s going on?
  
• Ey or Oye – Hello or Listen, to friends.
  

Examples:

• ¡Buenas! ¿Todo va bien? (Hi! Everything all right?)
  
• Ey, amigo. (Hey, friend.)
  

Also Read: Purple in Spanish: Meaning, Pronunciation, and Usage

Cultural Note

Spaniards adore greetings.
It shows kindness and greets other people.
It is accompanied by:

• Hug
  
• Cheek kiss
  
• Handshake (based on acquaintance)
  

In offices or shops where there is formality, hola is followed by buenos días or buenas tardes in respectfulness.
The hola is accompanied by a head nod or greeting wave with hola.

Interesting Hola Facts

• Hola is the result of a word gesture of “ola” during the times of Old Spanish, or greeting and wave.
  
• One of the oldest English words the students from all over the world will ever learn.
  
• Even when they are staying in an English-speaking nation, hola is an everyday hello which everyone uses.
  
• Spanish silent “h” makes hola easier to pronounce and sound natural.
  

Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t utter the “h.”
  
• Don’t mistake hola (hello) for ola (sea wave).
  
• Don’t duplicate the hola in a sentence.
  

Examples in Life

• Hola, Pedro, ¿al llegar mañana? (Hello, Pedro, do you arrive tomorrow?)
  
• Hola, mamá. (Hello, Mom.)
  

Hola will be the most convenient and easiest Spanish word.
It’ll put you in talking and speaking where you are.
You’ll be calling it back and speaking to any person on a daily basis.
Smile and rehearse it, be polite, and it will be inviting and friendly every time.

So the next time you are faced with a Spanish person. Just reach out your hand and say: ¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás?