Why do some people say 'Como esta' instead of 'Como estas'?

Question

Why do some people say 'Como esta' instead of 'Como estas'?!

I thought it was Como estas, meaning: How (como) are you? (estas)...

Esta would mean It, her, or him. Could someone explain?

Gracas por tu tiempo.

Answer 1

Hi Tommy,

¿Cómo estás? is informal, the tú form.

¿Cómo está? is formal, the usted form. (Or the 3rd person...how is he or how is she.)

Also, do not forget your accent marks. You have spelled several words incorrectly above, and in Spanish that is a very big deal!

Missing accent marks = misspelled word. - Goyo, MAR 20, 2010

¿Cómo estás Goyo? :) - Nicole-B, MAR 20, 2010

Answer 2

"¿Cómo estás?" is many times spoken by people from Cuba, Venezuela, Panama, and other Carribean countries without pronouncing the final "S," so it sounds as if they are saying, "¿Cómo está?" So in these cases, it's important to know the relationship of the people in the conversation to avoid confusion. This is commonly refered to as "Comer la ese (S)" Eating the "S."

Answer 3

"¿Cómo estamos?" is used as a greeting as well.