You can greet someone with “¿Qué tal?” or “¿Qué pasa?” to mean “what’s up,” then add a short follow-up that fits how close you are.
You’ll hear “what’s up” in English in a lot of moods: casual hello, checking in, teasing a friend, or opening a chat thread. Spanish works the same way. There isn’t one single magic line that fits every moment, so the trick is picking a phrase that matches the setting and the relationship.
This post gives you several natural options, shows when to use each one, and helps you avoid traps that make a greeting sound stiff. You’ll have ready-to-say lines for friends, classmates, coworkers.
What “Hey what’s up” means in real talk
In English, “Hey, what’s up?” is often just “Hi.” The speaker may not expect a full life update. Spanish greetings can work like that too, yet some versions sound more like a real question. If you answer with a long story when the other person meant “Hi,” the moment can get awkward.
So start by deciding what you want the phrase to do:
- Simple hello: Open the chat, keep it light.
- Quick check-in: Ask how the person is doing.
- What’s going on: Ask what they’re doing right now.
- What happened: React to news or drama.
How To Say ‘Hey What’s Up’ In Spanish in daily life
These are the most common choices you’ll hear across many Spanish-speaking places. Each line below is informal, so save them for friends, peers, and relaxed settings.
¿Qué tal?
Meaning: “How’s it going?” or “What’s up?”
When it fits: Almost anytime as a friendly hello. It can be a real check-in or just a greeting, based on your tone.
Easy replies: “Bien.” “Todo bien.” “Ahí vamos.” “¿Y tú?”
¿Qué pasa?
Meaning: “What’s happening?”
When it fits: A warm, casual opener with friends. It can also sound like “What’s wrong?” if your face or voice signals worry, so keep it upbeat when you mean hello.
Easy replies: “Nada, aquí.” “Todo tranqui.” “Aquí ando.”
¿Qué onda?
Meaning: “What’s up?” (Mexico and parts of Central America, also heard elsewhere)
When it fits: Super casual. Use it with friends your age, classmates, teammates.
Easy replies: “Todo bien.” “Aquí, ¿y tú?” “Nada nuevo.”
¿Cómo andas?
Meaning: “How are you doing?”
When it fits: A friendly check-in. “Andar” carries a sense of how you’re doing lately.
Easy replies: “Ando bien.” “Ando cansado/a.” “Ando con mil cosas.”
¿Qué haces?
Meaning: “What are you doing?”
When it fits: When you expect a real answer about what they’re up to right now. It’s less “hello” and more “what are you doing?”
Easy replies: “Nada, descansando.” “Aquí estudiando.” “Saliendo del trabajo.”
Pronunciation and punctuation that make you sound natural
Spanish openers look short, yet the rhythm matters. These small details help you land them cleanly.
Use the upside-down question mark
In writing, Spanish questions start with ¿ and end with ?. In texting, many people still use both. It reads clearer and shows care with the language. If your typing setup makes it hard, one ending question mark is common in casual chats, yet use both in school or work writing.
Stress and sound tips
- ¿Qué tal? “keh TAHL” (stress on tal)
- ¿Qué pasa? “keh PA-sa” (two beats)
- ¿Qué onda? “keh ON-da” (clear on)
- ¿Cómo andas? “KO-mo AN-das” (stress on the first syllable of cómo)
Don’t force the English tone
English “what’s up” can rise at the end like a question or stay flat like “hey.” Spanish can do both. If you want it to feel like a greeting, keep your voice light and your face relaxed. If you want an answer, lean into the question tone.
Choose the right greeting for the setting
Spanish changes by country and by context. Use this section to pick a line that fits where you are and who you’re talking to.
With friends and close classmates
Start with “¿Qué tal?” or “¿Qué pasa?” as your safe defaults. Add a name or a quick follow-up to make it feel personal: “¿Qué tal, Ana?” “¿Qué pasa, tío?” “¿Qué tal todo?”
With a teacher, boss, or a new contact
Skip “what’s up” style lines and go with a polite check-in. These stay friendly without sounding too casual:
- “Hola, ¿cómo está?”
- “Buenos días, ¿cómo le va?”
- “Hola, ¿qué tal?” (works if the setting is relaxed)
When you’re reacting to news
If you heard something happened, “¿Qué pasa?” can sound like “What’s wrong?” That’s fine when you mean it. Pair it with a clue: “¿Qué pasó?” (What happened?) or “¿Qué pasa, todo bien?” (What’s going on, you ok?).
Table 1 placed after ~40%
Common options and when they fit
| Spanish line | Best use | Natural reply |
|---|---|---|
| ¿Qué tal? | All-purpose casual hello | Bien, ¿y tú? |
| ¿Qué pasa? | Friends, light opener | Nada, aquí. |
| ¿Qué onda? | Extra casual, youth vibe | Todo bien. |
| ¿Cómo andas? | Check-in on someone’s week | Ando bien. |
| ¿Qué haces? | Ask what they’re doing now | Aquí estudiando. |
| ¿Qué hay? | Short hello in some areas | No mucho. |
| ¿Cómo va todo? | Friendly, a bit broader | Todo bien. |
| ¿Qué me cuentas? | “What’s new?” with friends | Pues, nada nuevo. |
Regional flavor without sounding forced
You don’t need to copy every regional phrase you hear on TV. It can sound like a costume if it doesn’t match your accent or your circles. Still, knowing a few regional patterns helps you understand people and pick a safer option.
Spain
“¿Qué tal?” works everywhere. You’ll also hear “¿Qué pasa?” and “¿Qué hay?” among friends. “Tío/tía” shows up a lot as a casual “mate,” so “¿Qué pasa, tío?” is common in friendly chats.
Mexico
“¿Qué onda?” is a staple in casual speech. “¿Qué tal?” stays safe too. “¿Qué pedo?” exists, yet it can be rude or crude depending on the group, so skip it unless you know your crowd well.
Caribbean Spanish
You may hear quick, clipped hellos, and people may answer fast too. “¿Qué tal?” still lands well. Listen for local rhythm and copy the pace more than the slang.
South America
Many countries use “¿Qué tal?” and “¿Cómo andas?” with ease. In the Río de la Plata area (Argentina, Uruguay), “¿Cómo andás?” and “¿Todo bien?” are common, with a distinct stress pattern.
Texting and social messages that feel current
Chat apps change the tone. People shorten words, drop punctuation, and add emojis. You can keep it simple and still sound natural.
Short openers
- “¿Qué tal?”
- “¿Qué haces?”
- “¿Todo bien?”
- “¿Qué onda?”
Openers with a friendly add-on
- “Ey, ¿qué tal?”
- “Hola, ¿qué pasa?”
- “Hey, ¿qué tal todo?”
Replies that keep the chat moving
In English, a common reply is “Not much, you?” Spanish has the same feel. Try these patterns:
- “Nada, aquí. ¿Y tú?”
- “Todo bien. ¿Qué haces?”
- “Ando liado/a. ¿Tú qué tal?”
Table 2 placed after ~60%
Pick a reply that matches the vibe
| If they say… | You can reply… | What it signals |
|---|---|---|
| ¿Qué tal? | Bien, aquí ando. ¿Y tú? | Friendly, open to chat |
| ¿Qué pasa? | Nada, todo tranqui. | Casual, relaxed |
| ¿Qué haces? | Estoy trabajando. ¿Tú? | Sharing what you’re doing |
| ¿Cómo andas? | Ando cansado/a, pero bien. | Honest check-in |
| ¿Todo bien? | Sí, todo bien. ¿Y por ahí? | Quick confirmation |
| ¿Qué me cuentas? | Pues, te cuento: … | Invites a small update |
Mistakes that make the greeting sound off
Most “what’s up” slip-ups come from direct translation or from choosing a phrase that asks for more detail than you meant.
Saying “¿Qué está arriba?”
This is a word-for-word translation of “what’s up,” yet it means “what is above?” People will understand you, then smile, since it sounds like a joke.
Using “¿Qué pasa?” with a worried tone
With the wrong face, it reads like “What’s wrong?” If you mean “hey,” keep your voice light, or use “¿Qué tal?”
Overusing slang you don’t own
Slang is fun, yet it can backfire if it clashes with your accent or you use it in a formal space. Stick to clean, widely understood lines until you’ve heard a phrase used around you many times.
Mini dialogues you can copy into real conversations
Practice helps you stop translating in your head. Read these out loud, then swap in your own details.
Friend at school
A: ¿Qué tal, Luis?
B: Bien. ¿Y tú?
A: Todo bien. ¿Qué haces después de clase?
Text message check-in
A: Ey, ¿qué pasa?
B: Nada, aquí. ¿Tú qué tal?
A: Ando con tareas. ¿Te apuntas a estudiar mañana?
Coworker you’re friendly with
A: Hola, ¿qué tal?
B: Bien, gracias. ¿Cómo va todo?
A: Bien. ¿Listo para la reunión?
Quick practice plan for the next seven days
You don’t need long study blocks to make these lines stick. A small routine beats cramming.
Day 1: Pick two starters
Choose one safe greeting (“¿Qué tal?”) and one action greeting (“¿Qué haces?”). Say each one ten times with a relaxed voice.
Day 2: Add one follow-up
Pair your greeting with a follow-up question: “¿Qué tal? ¿Todo bien?” or “¿Qué haces? ¿Estás en casa?” Keep it short.
Day 3: Drill three replies
Memorize three replies you can use in many chats: “Todo bien.” “Aquí ando.” “Ando cansado/a.”
Day 4: Record and listen
Record yourself on your phone saying each line once. Listen for stress on qué and tal, then repeat until it feels smooth.
Day 5: Use it in a message
Send one short message to a Spanish-speaking friend or language partner: “Hola, ¿qué tal?” Then answer with a one-line reply when they respond.
Day 6: Swap in a regional option
If you’re learning Mexican Spanish, try “¿Qué onda?” If you’re leaning toward Spain, try “¿Qué hay?” Use it once with someone who matches that style.
Day 7: Mix and match
Do five fast rounds: greeting + reply + follow-up. Aim for speed and ease, not perfect grammar.
One-page cheat sheet
- Safest casual hello: ¿Qué tal?
- Friend vibe: ¿Qué pasa?
- Mexico-style casual: ¿Qué onda?
- Check-in: ¿Cómo andas?
- Ask what they’re doing: ¿Qué haces?
- Easy reply: Nada, aquí. ¿Y tú?
Stick to the safe starters, keep tone friendly, and pair the greeting with simple follow-up. You’ll understand the replies you get.