Que Tal? vs Como estas?

Question

What is the difference in general usage between Que tal, and Como estás? I understand that the meaning/usage can differ from county to county, but what has been your experience? Thanks, Have a great day!

May I welcome you to SD and thank you for filling out your profile I shall give you a vote for doing that. - ray76, May 20, 2015

The answer below is correct. - ray76, May 20, 2015

Possibly you mean the difference between "¿Qué tal?" and "¿Cómo estás?"? Both can be used as a way to start a conversation, while "Tal vez" has nothing in common as the reply below indicates. - Manity, May 20, 2015

Your profile says you are intermediate in Spanish. Is that correct? - rac1, May 20, 2015

Hi, thank you so much for your help. I acctually answered my own question with an explanation to what happened as well as another question if you guys want to check it out. Thank you! - atrevida, May 21, 2015

Welcome to SD - :) - ian-hill, May 21, 2015

Thank you ian-hill - atrevida, May 21, 2015

Answer 1

They're very different:

Tal Vez

= Maybe,

Como estas?

= How are you?

See?

Thanks mate - ray76, May 20, 2015

Thank you for your help :) - atrevida, May 21, 2015

The question is about "¿que tal?" not about "tal vez"... - txustaboy, May 21, 2015

:) - ian-hill, May 21, 2015

Falda Escocesa and Txustaboy gave you very good answers on "Que tal?" - doncruz, May 21, 2015

Answer 2

Hi everyone, So as I am just getting used to SD, I was wondering, what is the best way to answer/thank everyone who answers my question? Should I comment on each of their answers?

As far as my question, I think perhaps I was over tired when I asked it. Yes I did mean what is the difference between Que Tal, and Como estas. The reason I asked is because while in Honduras last summer, I experienced people using both phrases in different contexts, however no one could tell me exactly what the difference was.

Also, as far as my proficiency level, When I speak with a person, I can normally understand enough of what they say to carry on a civil conversation. While in Honduras, I translated for my family, and all went well. If others wish for me to change the proficiency on my profile however, I will.

Thank you all for your help!

Your original post was very well done except that you did confuse ¿Qué tal? with tal vez. Please feel free to continue posting about issues that are unclear as you learn Spanish. Try to us correct punctuation and spelling in Spanish and English. - Jubilado, May 21, 2015

You don't need to comment on every answer but it is polite to vote for everyone who answers and if after a while you find one answer that is best you can click on the box for that. People usually stop answering after you pick a best answer. - Jubilado, May 21, 2015

As far as your proficiency level your description seems to indicate that you are advanced or you may even be fluent - though that is a high level of proficiency. Your participation here will be greatly received. - Jubilado, May 21, 2015

First comment correction: Try to "use" correct punctuation.... - Jubilado, May 21, 2015

Jubilado-yes in a moment of disillusionment, I confused Que tal, and tal vez. I promise I know the difference :) I am NOT fluent in Spanish, though fluency is something I hope to achieve someday. Thank you for your help ! - atrevida, May 21, 2015

I must say that I endorse this young lady , a newbie with manners talent and a willingness to learn she has my vote. - ray76, May 21, 2015

Me too Ray. A vote from me. - ian-hill, May 21, 2015

Thank you ray and ian :) - atrevida, May 21, 2015

Answer 3

Perhaps you're thinking of ¿ qué tal ? as opposed to 'tal vez'. As I understand it ¿ qué tal ? can be used as a form of greeting, like ¿ cómo estás ? but is less formal, maybe like the difference between 'how's it going ?' and 'how do you do ?' respectively.

¿ qué tal ? can also be used to introduce a subject, meaning 'how was... ?', e.g. '¿ qué tal tu viaje ?' = 'how as your trip ?', or in a shop an assistant might introduce a prospective purchase thus, e.g. '¿ qué tal esto ?' = 'how about this one ?'.

That's my understanding anyway, although I'm not a native speaker.

Buena suerte

Your examples sure sound a lot like Pimsleur. ;-) - Winkfish, May 20, 2015

I guess I'm now a Pimsleurador... ;-) - Faldaesque, May 20, 2015

Thank you for your help :) - atrevida, May 21, 2015

Answer 4

Both mean the same more or less.

¿Que tal? It is not really formal and it is used in two similar but different ways:

1) You can use it as "hello", not waiting an answer.

2) You can use it to ask for anything:

• If both persons know the "theme" they are talking about, you can say ¿que tal? or ¿que tal fue?

• If they are any doubt or one of the speakers could not know the theme they are talking, you can add more information: ¿Que tal fue el dia? or ¿que tal fue tu examen?

¿Como estás? or ¿como está (you)? It is more formal than ¿que tal?. And it can be used as the first option of ¿que tal?

Thank you! - atrevida, May 21, 2015