Learning Spanish generally starts with Spanish greeting words|words and phrases.

The single word “Hola” (the “H” is not pronounced) in Spanish translates to the English word “Hello” and is uncluttered by any complex syntax.

When initially meeting either an acquaintance or a stranger, “Hola” is an appropriate greeting. (When answering the telephone, however, Spanish speakers usually say “bueno” or “diga” instead of “Hola.”)

After first greeting someone, you will eventually separate and the Spanish equivalent of “goodbye” is “adios.”

Unlike English which has only one form, Spanish and other Romance languages (Italian, French,Portuguese, and Romanian French, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian) have two forms of verbs used when addressing or referring to people. These two forms are generally known as formal and informal forms. The informal form is normally used for addressing friends, relatives, younger persons, or persons of lower position or status. The formal form is normally used for strangers, older people who are not close friends or relatives and for people of higher status or position.

After initially greeting someone, you might say “Como esta?” (formal) or “Como estas?” (informal) for “How are you?” or “Como se va?” (formal) or “Como te vas?” (informal) for “How is it going?” (literally “How is it going with you?”). Another frequently used phrase is “Que passa?” for “What’s happening?”

“Good morning” is “Buenos dias” in Spanish while “Good afternoon” is Buenas tardes” and “Good night” is Buenos noches.”

When meeting someone new you might ask their name by saying “Como te llamas?” (informal) or the more formal form, “Como se llama?” which literally translates as “How do you call yourself?”

While these simple words and phrases form the basics of Spanish greetings, you will learn more complex forms as you further develop your Spanish speaking skills. Nevertheless, these phrases will be useful getting started.

The expressions used daily are the ones that help you to master Spanish more quickly because you will be using them on a regular basis. “Hello” and “Good Night” are two of the most used phrases so saying these words will give you plenty of practice in your comfort zone.