A transparent combination of cómo, meaning “in what way,” and estás, the informal singular present form of estar, meaning “to be.”
A transparent combination of cómo, meaning “in what way,” and estás, the informal singular present form of estar, meaning “to be.”
What does cómo estás mean?
Cómo estás means “how are you?” when speaking informally to one person.
Is cómo estás formal or informal?
Cómo estás is informal because estás is the tú form. The formal singular question is cómo está.
Does cómo estás need accent marks?
Yes. Cómo has an accent because it is interrogative, and estás has one because its stress falls on the final syllable.
How do people answer cómo estás?
Common replies include bien, gracias, muy bien, and más o menos, often followed by ¿y tú?
What is the difference between cómo estás and qué tal?
Both can be friendly greetings, but cómo estás directly asks about someone's condition while qué tal is broader and more flexible.
Can cómo estás be used with more than one person?
No. For more than one person, use cómo estáis with vosotros in Spain or cómo están with ustedes.