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QUICK ANSWER
"Qué tal" is a form of "qué tal", a phrase which is often translated as "how is". "¿Cómo está?" is a phrase which is often translated as "How is he?". Learn more about the difference between "¿Cómo está?" and "qué tal" below.
¿Cómo está?(
koh
-
moh
ehs
-
tah
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. How is he? (masculine)
Javier tuvo un accidente automovilístico. ¡Oh, no! ¿Cómo está?Javier had a car accident. - Oh, no! How is he?
b. How is she? (feminine)
Cuéntame sobre tu hija. ¿Cómo está? - Ahora se siente mejor.Tell me about your daughter. How is she? - She's feeling better now.
c. How is it?
Prueba la salsa. ¿Cómo está? - Yo le añadiría una pizca de sal.Try the sauce. How is it? - I'd add a pinch of salt.
2. (formal) (second person singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
a. How are you?
¡Hola, señor Rojas! ¡Cuánto tiempo sin verlo! ¿Cómo está?Hello, Mr. Rojas! Long time no see! How are you?
qué tal(
keh
tahl
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. how is (singular) (present)
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
¿Qué tal el negocio familiar? Escuché que tienen problemas económicos.How is the family business? I heard you're having financial problems.
¿Qué tal tu madre? - Se encuentra mejor, pero debe guardar cama.How's your mother? - She's feeling better, but she needs to stay in bed.
b. how was (singular) (past)
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
¿Qué tal tu día? - Estuve muy ocupado con cosas del trabajo.How was your day? - I was very busy with work.
e. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
¿Qué tal el examen? - Bien, creo que aprobaré.How did the exam go? - Well, I think I'll pass.
Ayer fui a ver la última película de James Bond. - ¿Y qué tal?I went to see the last James Bond movie yesterday? - And how was it?
a. how about
¿Qué tal si dejamos de quejarnos y comenzamos a resolver los problemas nosotros mismos?How about we stop whining and start solving the problems by ourselves?
b. what if
Nuestro partido necesita más apoyo. - ¿Qué tal si nos aliamos a los conservadores?Our party needs more support. - What if we form a coalition with the conservatives?
a. oh, please
No haces mucho en la casa. - ¡Qué tal! Yo soy el que limpia todos los días.You don't do much around the house. - Oh, please! I'm the one who cleans up every day.
