¿Cómo estás tú? versus ¿Cómo tú estás?

Question

I've just started taking Spanish classes in my High School, and this question has arisen:

Which is correct, Cómo estás tú, or Cómo tú estás?

My Spanish teacher (whom I assume is not a native speaker) taught my class that the first option, Como estas tu, was correct.

However, someone on my bus who has moved here from Puerto Rico says that the latter is correct.

I understand that Cómo estás could be used instead of either, but my curiosity is piqued now.

If both are regularly used, it would be appreciated if someone told me the correct times to use them.

Welcome to SpanishDict. - rac1, Aug 20, 2014

Answer 1

"¿Cómo estás?" is the most common.

"¿Cómo estás tú?" emphasizes you.

"Cómo tú estás?" sounds very awkward, but Puerto Ricans have a very special style of speaking so this may be regional.

I know like "¡Ya tú sabes!" "Ya sabes tú" sounds so more natural pa' mi! And remember carribeans, not just puertoricans speak like this. - jphip, Aug 21, 2014

Answer 2

Either one will work but is more common to say just "¿Cómo estás?"

You are after all speaking informally. If you were going to speak formal, I would say "¿Cómo está Ud., [*Señor(a)?] *optional - jphip, Aug 20, 2014