Greetings and Farewells

Now that you have a solid understanding of Spanish pronunciation, it is time to put it into practice with your first real-world vocabulary: greetings and farewells. These are the phrases you will use every single day when speaking Spanish.

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Why Greetings Matter

In Spanish-speaking cultures, greetings are much more than a formality — they are a sign of respect and warmth. It is considered rude to walk into a shop, office, or gathering without greeting people. Even in brief interactions, a greeting is expected.

Cultural Note: In Spanish-speaking countries, people generally greet everyone when entering a room, including strangers in a waiting room or lift. A simple Buenos días or Buenas tardes is sufficient and appreciated.

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Basic Greetings

Spanish	Pronunciation	English	When to Use
Hola	"OH-lah"	Hello / Hi	Any time — informal and universal
Buenos días	"BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs"	Good morning	Until around noon
Buenas tardes	"BWEH-nahs TAHR-dehs"	Good afternoon	From noon until sunset
Buenas noches	"BWEH-nahs NOH-chehs"	Good evening / Good night	After sunset