When you first begin learning Spanish, your earliest words will normally be a greeting of some type.

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

“Hola” is an appropriate greeting for both strangers or acquaintances when speaking to them in person. However, Spanish speakers generally use “diga’ or “bueno” when answering the phone, unlike English which uses “hello” for both situations.

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

The family of languages known as the “Romance languages” that include Spanish, Italian, French,Portuguese, and Romanian usually have two forms of verbs when addressing people. Generally the two forms are generally referred to as informal and formal forms. The formal form is usually used in formal settings or when speaking to a stranger, older person (not a friend or relative), or to someone of higher position. The informal form is commonly used for friends, relatives, younger people or when speaking to persons of lower position.

When inquiring as to how someone is, such as “How are you?” “Como estas?” (informal) or “Como esta?” (formal) is the Spanish version of the same thing. Or you can use “que tal”, “Que passa?” (What’s happening?) or “Como se va?” (formal) or “Como te vas?” (informal) for “How is it going?” or literally “How’s it going with you?”

In the morning you might say “Buenos dias” for Good morning (literally “Good day”) or in the afternoon, you might greet someone with “Buenas tardes” for “Good afternoon.” At night it would be “Buenos noches” for “Good night.”

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 important in getting started.

Frequent use of these commonly used Spanish expressions will help build your comfort zone as you further develop your language skills.