¿Cómo estás

¿Cómo estás? This is a common Spanish greeting, and it literally means “how are you?” But it’s more than just a question about your physical wellbeing. It’s also a way to ask how you’re doing emotionally and mentally. In Spanish culture, it’s important to take the time to ask your friends and loved ones how they’re really doing.

If you want to respond to ¿Cómo estás? with more than just a “good” or “fine,” here are some phrases you can use:

Estoy bien, gracias. – I’m good, thank you.

Todo va bien. – Everything is going well.

No puedo quejarme. – I can’t complain.

La verdad, no estoy muy bien. – To be honest, I’m not doing very well.

No me va nada bien. – Nothing is going well for me.

What if you want to ask someone how they’re doing? Here are some phrases you can use:

¿Qué tal? – How’s it going? / How are things?

¿Cómo te va? – How are you doing?

¿Todo bien? – Is everything good? / Are things going well?

Here are some other common phrases you might hear in response to ¿Cómo estás?:

Más o menos. – So-so. / Not great, but not terrible either.
Puede ser mejor. – It could be better. Pasable. – OK / passable / tolerable. Regular. – Not great, but not terrible either.