QUICK ANSWER
"Hola" is a form of "hola", an interjection which is often translated as "hello". "Qué tal estás" is a form of "qué tal estás", a phrase which is often translated as "how are you". Learn more about the difference between "hola" and "qué tal estás" below.
hola
An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
1. (general)
b. hi (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¡Hola! ¿Qué hay de nuevo?Hi! What's new?
qué tal estás(
keh
tahl
ehs
-
tahs
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (general)
a. how are you
¿Qué tal estás hoy, Lainey? ¿Todavía estás enferma?How are you today, Lainey? Are you still sick?
b. how are you doing
¿Qué tal estás, Matías? Escuché que estabas triste.How are you doing, Matias? I heard you were sad.
