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Spanish Phrase

Hola, ¿quién eres?

/ˈo.la ˈkje̞n ˈeɾes/
Meaning"Hello, who are you?"
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Meaning

Literally “Hello, who are you?” It is a direct way to ask someone’s identity, usually in informal or casual settings. The phrase combines a friendly greeting with a simple identity question.

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When to use

Use this phrase when you meet someone for the first time in a relaxed environment—like at a party, a community event, or when a new colleague joins the office. In more formal contexts, opt for “¿Cómo se llama?” or “¿Quién es usted?”.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Hola,¿quiéneres?

1

Hola

A casual greeting equivalent to “hello”. It can be used at any time of day.

2

¿quién?

Interrogative pronoun meaning “who”. It always carries an accent on the í.

3

eres

Second‑person singular present of the verb SER. Use SER for identity, not ESTAR.

🗨In Conversation

A

Hola, ¿quién eres?

Hello, who are you?

Soy María, la nueva asistente del proyecto.

I’m María, the new project assistant.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Hola, ¿quién estás?

    Use SER (eres) for identity, not ESTAR (estás) which refers to location or condition.

  • Hola, ¿quién es?

    “¿Quién es?” is correct for third‑person or formal you, but not for informal second‑person.

  • Hola, ¿quien eres?

    The interrogative pronoun must carry an accent on the í: “¿quién?”.

↔Alternatives

  • ¿Quién eres tú?

    Who are you?

  • ¿Cómo te llamas?

    What’s your name?

  • ¿Quién es usted?

    Who are you? (formal)

es

Cultural Tip

In many Spanish‑speaking countries, asking “¿Quién eres?” can feel blunt if you don’t already have a friendly rapport. Native speakers often prefer “¿Cómo te llamas?” or a simple “¿Y tú, cómo te llamas?” in first‑time introductions, especially in professional or formal settings. The tone of voice and body language also soften the directness of the question.