What does hola, cómo estás mean?

¡Hola! Cómo estás? could be translated to 'Hello/Hi! How are you?'

The phrase is composed of two expressions that can be used separately or, in this case, together.

• The exclamation ¡Hola!, which means 'hello' or 'hi' is used when we meet a person at any time of the day. It can be used formally or informally since it depends on how we continue the greeting phrase.
• The question, Cómo estás? (how are you?) is used to express interest in another person. In this case, this question is informal since the verb is conjugated with the word tú (informal you). We what often only use this expression towards someone we already know or in an informal context.

If we are in a formal situation we should ask Cómo está? (how are you?) with the verb conjugated with the word usted (formal you).

We can reply to the phrase in many ways, for example, by saying that we are well or bad. So, bien (well), regular or okay (so-so), genial (great), mal (bad), etc. It is a bit rude to respond without saying gracias (thank you) or asking the other person how he is. Thus, the dialogue would be as follows

• ¡Hola! Cómo estás? (Hello! How are you?).
• Bien, gracias. Y tú? (Fine, thanks. And you?).