Spanish Phrase
¿Cómo estás hoy?
Meaning
A friendly way to ask someone how they are feeling or doing on the current day. It conveys genuine interest in the person’s present mood or health.
When to use
Use it in informal conversations with friends, family, classmates, or coworkers you know well. In a more formal setting you would switch to the formal *usted* form: “¿Cómo está usted hoy?”.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Cómoestáshoy?
¿Cómo?
Interrogative adverb meaning “how”. It always carries an accent on the ó to differentiate it from the conjunction “como”.
estás
Second‑person singular present of the verb *estar*, used for temporary states, feelings, or location.
hoy
Adverb of time meaning “today”. Placed after the verb in most informal questions.
🗨In Conversation
¿Cómo estás hoy?
How are you today?
Estoy bien, gracias. ¿Y tú?
I’m fine, thanks. And you?
✕Common Mistakes
¿Como estás hoy?
Missing the accent changes the meaning to the conjunction “as/like”. The question must have the accent: ¿Cómo?
¿Cómo es tú hoy?
Use *estar* (estás) for temporary states, not *ser* (es).
¿Cómo estás tú hoy?
When using *estar*, the subject pronoun is omitted; *tú* is unnecessary and sounds unnatural.
↔Alternatives
¿Qué tal estás hoy?
How are you doing today?
¿Cómo te va hoy?
How’s it going today?
¿Cómo te sientes hoy?
How do you feel today?
Cultural Tip
In most Spanish‑speaking countries, asking about someone’s well‑being is a routine part of daily interaction. Adding *hoy* shows you’re interested in the specific day, which can make the question feel more personal. Remember to match the level of formality: use *¿Cómo está usted hoy?* with strangers, elders, or in professional settings. In some regions (e.g., Mexico) you’ll also hear *¿Qué onda?* as a very informal equivalent.