Responding to “Como Estas”: A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding how to respond to the Spanish greeting “Como estas” (How are you?) is crucial for effective communication in Spanish. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of various responses, ranging from simple greetings to more detailed explanations of your well-being.

Mastering these responses will not only enhance your conversational skills but also deepen your understanding of Spanish grammar and cultural nuances. This article is designed for Spanish learners of all levels, from beginners to advanced speakers, who want to improve their fluency and confidence in everyday conversations.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition of “Como Estas”
• Structural Breakdown
• Types and Categories of Responses
  • Positive Responses
  • Neutral Responses
  • Negative Responses
  • Follow-up Questions
  • Formal vs. Informal Responses
• Examples of Responses
  • Positive Response Examples
  • Neutral Response Examples
  • Negative Response Examples
  • Follow-up Question Examples
  • Formal Response Examples
  • Informal Response Examples
• Usage Rules
  • Subject-Verb Agreement
  • Pronoun Usage
  • Adjective Agreement
  • Verb Tenses
• Common Mistakes
• Practice Exercises
  • Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
  • Exercise 2: Translation
  • Exercise 3: Multiple Choice
• Advanced Topics
  • Idiomatic Expressions
  • Regional Variations
• FAQ
• Conclusion

Definition of “Como Estas”

“Como estas” is a Spanish phrase used to inquire about someone’s well-being. It directly translates to “How are you?” in English.

The phrase is composed of two words: “Como,” meaning “how,” and “estas,” which is the informal “you are” form of the verb “estar.” The verb “estar” is used to describe temporary states or conditions, as opposed to “ser,” which is used for permanent characteristics or identities. Therefore, “Como estas” is asking about the person’s current state of being or feeling.

The phrase is classified as an interrogative expression since it poses a question. Functionally, it serves as a greeting and a way to initiate conversation.

The context in which it is used is typically informal, as the “estas” form is the informal “you” (tú) conjugation. In more formal settings, the phrase “Como está” (using the formal “usted” conjugation) would be more appropriate.

Structural Breakdown

The structure of “Como estas” is relatively simple:

: An adverb meaning “how.”

: The second-person singular informal present tense conjugation of the verb “estar,” meaning “you are.”

The word order is standard for Spanish questions. While English often requires auxiliary verbs (e.g., “How are you?” needing the auxiliary “are”), Spanish frequently relies on intonation and word order to indicate a question.

The subject pronoun “tú” (you) is often omitted because the verb conjugation “estas” already indicates the subject. Therefore, the implied full structure could be considered “(Tú) como estas?” but this is rarely said.

To form a formal question, the structure changes slightly. The verb conjugation shifts to “está,” and the pronoun “usted” (formal you) can be included or omitted.

The formal question is “Como está (usted)?”

Types and Categories of Responses

Positive Responses

Positive responses indicate that you are doing well. These responses often include words like “bien” (well), “muy bien” (very well), or “excelente” (excellent).

They can also incorporate expressions of gratitude.

Neutral Responses

Neutral responses indicate that you are neither particularly good nor bad. These responses often include phrases like “así así” (so-so), “más o menos” (more or less), or “normal” (normal).

They convey a sense of being okay without expressing strong positive or negative emotions.

Negative Responses

Negative responses indicate that you are not doing well. These responses often include words like “mal” (bad), “muy mal” (very bad), or phrases that express feeling unwell or unhappy.

It’s important to use these responses appropriately and consider the context of the conversation.

Follow-up Questions

It’s polite to reciprocate the greeting by asking the other person how they are doing. This shows interest and encourages further conversation.

Common follow-up questions include “¿Y tú?” (And you?) or “¿Y usted?” (And you? – formal).

Formal vs. Informal Responses

The level of formality in your response should match the context of the conversation and your relationship with the person you are speaking to. Use formal responses with people you don’t know well, superiors, or elders.

Use informal responses with friends, family, and peers.

Examples of Responses

Positive Response Examples

Here are several examples of positive responses to “Como estas?”.

Response	Translation	Notes
Muy bien, gracias.	Very well, thank you.	A common and polite response.
Bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?	Well, thank you. And you?	A simple and polite response with a follow-up question.
Excelente, gracias.	Excellent, thank you.	Expresses a very positive state.
Estoy bien, gracias.	I am well, thank you.	A more direct response.
De maravilla.	Wonderfully.	An enthusiastic response.
Fenomenal.	Phenomenal.	Another enthusiastic response.
Perfecto.	Perfect.	Indicates everything is going perfectly.
Todo bien.	Everything is good.	A casual positive response.
Muy bien, ¿y usted?	Very well, and you? (formal)	Formal response with a follow-up question.
No me puedo quejar.	I can’t complain.	Implies things are good without being overly enthusiastic.
De lujo.	Luxuriously. (Great)	Informal expression meaning things are great.
Estupendamente.	Wonderfully. (Great)	Similar to “de maravilla”.
Como nunca.	Like never before.	Implies you are feeling exceptionally well.
Mejor que nunca.	Better than ever.	Similar to “como nunca”.
Estoy de lo mejor.	I’m the best.	Expresses feeling great.
De película.	Like a movie.	Means things are going perfectly and are exciting.
En las nubes.	In the clouds.	Implies you are very happy.
Como un rey/reina.	Like a king/queen.	Means you are feeling very good and pampered.
De perlas.	Like pearls.	Means things are going very well.
A pedir de boca.	As you could wish for.	Meaning everything is perfect.
De bote en bote.	From can to can.	Meaning everything is in abundance.
Viento en popa.	Wind in the sails.	Meaning things are going smoothly.
A las mil maravillas.	At a thousand wonders.	Meaning things are going extremely well.
De rechupete.	Delicious.	Meaning things are great.
Como pez en el agua.	Like a fish in water.	Meaning you are comfortable and thriving.

Neutral Response Examples

Here are several examples of neutral responses to “Como estas?”.

Response	Translation	Notes
Así así.	So-so.	A common neutral response.
Más o menos.	More or less.	Another common neutral response.
Normal.	Normal.	Indicates an ordinary state.
Regular.	Regular.	Similar to “normal.”
No muy bien, pero tampoco mal.	Not very well, but not bad either.	A more detailed neutral response.
Tirando.	Pulling through.	Implies you are managing but not thriving.
Ahí vamos.	There we go.	Meaning you are getting by.
Sin novedad.	Without news.	Meaning nothing special is happening.
Como siempre.	As always.	Indicating things are the same as usual.
Lo de siempre.	The usual.	Similar to “como siempre”.
Ni fu ni fa.	Neither hot nor cold.	Meaning indifferent.
Sin más.	Without more.	Meaning nothing special.
Voy tirando.	I’m getting by.	Similar to “tirando”.
Sobreviviendo.	Surviving.	Implies you are just managing to get by.
En la lucha.	In the struggle.	Meaning you are facing challenges.
Como puedo.	As I can.	Suggests you are doing your best under the circumstances.
Sin pena ni gloria.	Without pain or glory.	Meaning uneventful.
En el medio.	In the middle.	Meaning neither good nor bad.
En equilibrio.	In balance.	Meaning you are maintaining stability.
En punto muerto.	In neutral.	Meaning not progressing but not regressing either.
En tablas.	On the table.	Meaning even.
En veremos.	To be seen.	Meaning uncertain.
En compás de espera.	Waiting.	Meaning in standby mode.
En barbecho.	Fallow.	Meaning not currently active.
En dique seco.	In dry dock.	Meaning under repair.

Negative Response Examples

Here are several examples of negative responses to “Como estas?”.

Response	Translation	Notes
Mal.	Bad.	A simple negative response.
Muy mal.	Very bad.	Expresses a strong negative state.
No muy bien.	Not very well.	A more polite negative response.
Estoy mal.	I am bad.	A direct negative response.
Fatal.	Terrible.	Expresses a very negative state.
Terrible.	Terrible.	Similar to “fatal”.
De pena.	Pitiful.	Implies you are feeling sorry for yourself.
Para el arrastre.	For dragging.	Meaning you are feeling exhausted.
De capa caída.	Down on my luck.	Meaning you are experiencing difficulties.
Con el agua al cuello.	With the water at my neck.	Meaning you are struggling to stay afloat.
Cuesta arriba.	Uphill.	Meaning things are difficult.
En horas bajas.	In low hours.	Meaning you are going through a bad period.
En la ruina.	In ruin.	Meaning you are in a bad financial situation.
He estado mejor.	I’ve been better.	A mild negative response.
Como el perro.	Like a dog.	Meaning you are feeling mistreated or unwell.
Con el ánimo por los suelos.	With my spirits on the ground.	Meaning you are feeling depressed.
Con un humor de perros.	In a dog’s mood.	Meaning you are in a bad mood.
Para el tigre.	For the tiger.	Meaning things are terrible.
En las últimas.	In the last ones.	Meaning you are feeling exhausted or unwell.
Con la soga al cuello.	With the rope around my neck.	Meaning you are in a critical situation.
De mal en peor.	From bad to worse.	Meaning things are deteriorating.
En caída libre.	In free fall.	Meaning things are spiraling out of control.
En el hoyo.	In the hole.	Meaning you are in a difficult situation.
En la cuerda floja.	On the tightrope.	Meaning you are in a precarious situation.
En números rojos.	In the red.	Meaning you are in debt.

Follow-up Question Examples

Here are several examples of follow-up questions that you can use after responding to “Como estas?”.

Follow-up Question	Translation	Notes
¿Y tú?	And you?	A simple and common follow-up question (informal).
¿Y usted?	And you?	The formal version of “¿Y tú?”.
¿Y cómo estás?	And how are you?	A more explicit follow-up question (informal).
¿Y cómo está usted?	And how are you?	The formal version of “¿Y cómo estás?”.
¿Qué tal tú?	What about you?	Another informal follow-up question.
¿Qué tal usted?	What about you?	Another formal follow-up question.
¿Qué cuentas?	What’s new?	An informal follow-up question that invites the other person to share news.
¿Qué me cuentas?	What do you tell me?	Similar to “¿Qué cuentas?”.
¿Qué hay de nuevo?	What’s new?	Another way to ask what’s new.
¿Cómo te va?	How’s it going?	An informal follow-up question.
¿Cómo le va?	How’s it going?	A formal follow-up question.
¿Todo bien contigo?	Everything good with you?	An informal follow-up question.

Formal Response Examples

When addressing someone formally (using “usted”), it’s important to use the correct verb conjugation and pronoun. Here are some examples:

Response	Translation	Notes
Muy bien, gracias. ¿Y usted?	Very well, thank you. And you? (formal)	A polite and formal response.
Bien, gracias. ¿Y cómo está usted?	Well, thank you. And how are you? (formal)	Another formal response with a follow-up question.
Estoy bien, gracias. ¿Y usted?	I am well, thank you. And you? (formal)	A more direct formal response.
Excelente, gracias. ¿Y usted?	Excellent, thank you. And you? (formal)	Expresses a very positive state formally.

Informal Response Examples

When addressing someone informally (using “tú”), use the appropriate verb conjugation and pronoun. Here are some examples:

Response	Translation	Notes
Muy bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?	Very well, thank you. And you? (informal)	A polite and informal response.
Bien, gracias. ¿Y cómo estás?	Well, thank you. And how are you? (informal)	Another informal response with a follow-up question.
Estoy bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?	I am well, thank you. And you? (informal)	A more direct informal response.
Excelente, gracias. ¿Y tú?	Excellent, thank you. And you? (informal)	Expresses a very positive state informally.

Usage Rules

Subject-Verb Agreement

In Spanish, the verb must agree with the subject in number and person. When responding to “Como estas,” the verb “estar” must be conjugated correctly.

For the informal “tú” form, use “estas.” For the formal “usted” form, use “está.”

Example: “Estoy bien” (I am well) – The verb “estoy” agrees with the subject “yo” (I), which is implied.

Pronoun Usage

While the subject pronoun is often omitted in Spanish, it can be included for emphasis or clarity. In the case of responding to “Como estas,” the pronoun “yo” (I) is often omitted because the verb conjugation “estoy” already indicates the subject.

Example: “(Yo) estoy bien” – The pronoun “yo” is optional but grammatically correct.

Adjective Agreement

Adjectives must agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify. When describing how you are feeling, the adjective must agree with your gender.

Example: “Estoy cansado” (I am tired – male) vs. “Estoy cansada” (I am tired – female).

Verb Tenses

The present tense is typically used when responding to “Como estas” because the question is about your current state. However, you can use other tenses to provide more context.

Example: “Estaba cansado ayer, pero hoy estoy bien” (I was tired yesterday, but today I am well).

Common Mistakes

One common mistake is using the verb “ser” instead of “estar.” Remember that “estar” is used for temporary states or conditions, while “ser” is used for permanent characteristics or identities.

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Soy bien.	Estoy bien.	“Soy” is a conjugation of “ser,” which is incorrect in this context.
Como eres?	Como estas?	“Eres” is a conjugation of “ser,” which is incorrect in this context.

Another common mistake is using the wrong verb conjugation. Make sure to use “estas” for the informal “tú” form and “está” for the formal “usted” form.

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Como está tú?	Como estas?	“Está” is the formal conjugation, while “tú” is informal.
Como estas usted?	Como está usted?	“Estas” is the informal conjugation, while “usted” is formal.

Finally, forgetting to use a follow-up question is a common oversight. Remember to reciprocate the greeting and ask the other person how they are doing.

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
Muy bien, gracias.	Muy bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?	It’s polite to ask the other person how they are.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate Spanish word or phrase to respond to “Como estas?”.

Question	Answer
Como estas?	Bien, __________. ¿Y tú?
Como estas?	__________ bien.
Como estas?	No muy __________.
Como estas?	__________ así.
Como estas?	Muy __________, gracias.
Como estas?	__________, gracias. ¿Y usted?
Como estas?	Estoy __________.
Como estas?	__________, gracias.
Como estas?	__________ o menos.
Como estas?	Todo __________.

Answers:

1. gracias
2. Estoy
3. bien
4. Así
5. bien
6. Bien
7. mal
8. Excelente
9. Más
10. bien

Exercise 2: Translation

Translate the following English responses to “How are you?” into Spanish.

English	Spanish
I am very well, thank you. And you?
So-so.
Not very well.
I am doing great!
Everything is normal.
I am bad.
I am excellent.
More or less.
I am okay.
I am terrible.

Answers:

1. Estoy muy bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?
2. Así así.
3. No muy bien.
4. Estoy de maravilla!
5. Todo normal.
6. Estoy mal.
7. Estoy excelente.
8. Más o menos.
9. Estoy bien.
10. Estoy fatal.

Exercise 3: Multiple Choice

Choose the best Spanish response to “Como estas?” from the options provided.

Question	Options	Answer
Como estas?	a) Soy bien. b) Estoy bien. c) Eres bien.
Como estas?	a) Así así, y tú? b) Así así, y usted? c) Así así, y ellos?
Como estas?	a) No muy bien, gracias. b) No muy bien, gracias, y tú? c) No muy bien, gracias, y ellos?
Como estas?	a) Muy mal, y tú? b) Muy mal, gracias. c) Muy mal, gracias, y tú?
Como estas?	a) Estoy excelente, y usted? b) Estoy excelente, y tú? c) Estoy excelente.

Answers:

1. b) Estoy bien.
2. a) Así así, y tú?
3. b) No muy bien, gracias, y tú?
4. c) Muy mal, gracias, y tú?
5. b) Estoy excelente, y tú?

Advanced Topics

Idiomatic Expressions

Spanish is rich in idiomatic expressions that can be used to respond to “Como estas?”. These expressions often add color and personality to your conversations.

For example, “Como pez en el agua” (like a fish in water) means you are feeling comfortable and thriving.

Regional Variations

The specific phrases and expressions used to respond to “Como estas?” can vary depending on the region or country. While the basic responses are generally understood, some regions may have their own unique idioms or slang terms.

For example, in some regions, you might hear “Pura vida” as a positive response, which means “pure life” and implies that everything is good.

FAQ

1. What is the difference between “Como estas” and “Como está”?

   “Como estas” is the informal form, used with people you know well. “Como está” is the formal form, used with people you don’t know well, superiors, or elders. The difference lies in the verb conjugation, “estas” for “tú” (informal you) and “está” for “usted” (formal you).

2. Is it rude to respond negatively to “Como estas”?

   It’s not inherently rude, but consider your relationship with the person. With close friends, it’s fine to be honest. In more formal settings, a neutral response (“Así así”) might be more appropriate. Avoid oversharing negative details with acquaintances.

3. Do I always have to say “gracias” when responding to “Como estas”?

   Saying “gracias” (thank you) is polite and generally recommended, but it’s not always necessary. In very informal settings, you can omit it. However, it’s always better to err on the side of politeness.

4. What if I don’t understand the question?

   You can ask “Perdón, no entiendo” (Sorry, I don’t understand) or “Puedes repetir, por favor?” (Can you repeat, please?).

5. How can I ask about someone’s health in more detail?

   You can ask “¿Te sientes bien?” (Do you feel well?) or “¿Tienes algún problema?” (Do you have any problems?).

6. What are some other ways to greet someone in Spanish besides “Como estas”?

   Other common greetings include “Hola” (Hello), “Buenos días” (Good morning), “Buenas tardes” (Good afternoon), and “Buenas noches” (Good evening/night).

7. How do I know when to use the formal “usted” instead of the informal “tú”?

   Use “usted” with people you don’t know well, superiors, or elders. Use “tú” with friends, family, and peers. When in doubt, it’s best to use “usted” to show respect.

8. Can I use “Como estas” in writing, like in a text message?

   Yes, “Como estas” is perfectly acceptable in written communication, especially in informal contexts like text messages or emails to friends.

9. Are there any slang responses to “Como estas”?

   Yes, there are many slang responses that vary by region. Some examples include “De lujo” (luxuriously/great) or “De perlas” (like pearls/great). However, be cautious when using slang, as it may not be understood by everyone.

10. What if I want to say “I’ve been better” in Spanish?

    You can say “He estado mejor” (I have been better). This is a polite way to indicate that you are not doing particularly well without being overly negative.

Conclusion

Mastering how to respond to “Como estas” is a fundamental step in learning Spanish. By understanding the various types of responses, from positive to negative, and knowing when to use formal

and informal language, you can greatly improve your conversational skills and build stronger relationships with Spanish speakers.

Remember to practice regularly and pay attention to the context of the conversation to choose the most appropriate response. With time and effort, you’ll become more confident and fluent in your Spanish communication.