🇪🇸 Spanish phrases

How to Say "What's up?" in Spanish

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
¿Qué tal?
"What's up?" in Spanish · say it like keh tahl

The most natural way to say "What's up?" in Spanish is ¿Qué tal?. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

¿Cómo estás?
more formal, often used when you want to inquire about someone's well-being
¿Qué pasa?
casual, often used among friends

When to use it

Use this phrase when greeting friends or acquaintances. It is informal and friendly. You can use it in various contexts, whether in person or over the phone.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "What's up?" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Spanish

SpanishEnglish
¡Hola! ¿Qué tal?Hi! What's up?
Common mistake
Some learners might confuse this with '¿Qué hay?', which is less common and can sound awkward in casual settings.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear ¿Qué tal?, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Spanish with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Is '¿Qué tal?' only used in Spain?

'¿Qué tal?' is widely used in many Spanish-speaking countries, not just in Spain.

Learn Spanish by speaking it

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