Q&A · Grounds · updated 13.07.2026
How are you in Spanish: basic phrases for migrants
Updated: 13 July 2026 · Verified against official sources
"How are you?" in Spanish is ¿Cómo estás? (informal) or ¿Cómo está usted? (formal). Knowing this phrase — and a few dozen more — is critical from day one: you need them at the administration, the doctor's, the bank and when filing documents. Below is a compact phrasebook made for migrants, not tourists.
Greetings and "how are you"
| Situation | Spanish | Pronunciation (approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| How are you? (to friends) | ¿Cómo estás? | KOH-moh ehs-TAHS |
| How are you? (to an official) | ¿Cómo está usted? | KOH-moh ehs-TAH oos-TED |
| I'm fine | Estoy bien, gracias | ehs-TOY BYEN, GRAH-syahs |
| So-so | Más o menos | mahs oh MEH-nohs |
| Hello | Buenos días / Buenas tardes | BWEH-nohs DEE-ahs / BWEH-nahs TAR-dehs |
| Bye | Hasta luego | AHS-tah LWEH-goh |
Phrases for the administration and paperwork
These are exactly the words you will hear at Extranjería (the immigration office), at your cita previa (pre-booked appointment) and at the town hall when registering your address for the empadronamiento:
- Tengo una cita — I have an appointment. Say this right at the entrance.
- ¿Dónde está la ventanilla? — Where is the counter/window? Needed in any government office.
- Necesito un formulario — I need a form.
- ¿Puede repetirlo más despacio? — Could you repeat that more slowly? Officials speak fast.
- No entiendo / No hablo bien español — I don't understand / I don't speak Spanish well.
- ¿Habla inglés? — Do you speak English? Your backup option.
- Firme aquí, por favor — Sign here, please. You will hear this — know the reply: De acuerdo (all right).
- ¿Cuándo estará listo? — When will it be ready? Ask about the processing time.
For the bank, renting and everyday life
| Phrase | Translation |
|---|---|
| Quiero abrir una cuenta | I want to open an account |
| ¿Qué documentos necesito? | What documents do I need? |
| El alquiler incluye los gastos | The rent includes utilities |
| Tengo dolor de cabeza / de garganta | I have a headache / a sore throat |
| Necesito un médico | I need a doctor |
| ¿Dónde está la farmacia? | Where is the pharmacy? |
Useful words from the immigration context
Extranjería terms often come up in speech — it is important to recognise them by ear. The full glossary of 65 terms is in our glossary of extranjería terms.
Preparing residence permit documents? Use the checklist generator — a personalised list for your grounds, with document names translated into Spanish.
This is a preliminary assessment based on official sources, not individual legal advice. Your case may differ — get a free review of your situation.
Official sources: BOE — Spanish legislation · Ministry of Inclusion and Migration · Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs