vs
QUICK ANSWER
"What's up" is a form of "what's up", a phrase which is often translated as "qué tal". "How are you?" is a phrase which is often translated as "¿Cómo estás?". Learn more about the difference between "How are you?" and "what's up" below.
How are you?(
hau
ar
yu
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. ¿Cómo estás? (informal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person informal “tú” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., How are you?).
Hi, Sarah! How are you?¡Hola, Sarah! ¿Cómo estás?
b. ¿Cómo está? (formal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
It's so nice to see you, Mr. Smith. How are you?¡Qué gusto verlo, Sr. Smith! ¿Cómo está?
what's up(
wuhts
uhp
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (colloquial) (used in questions)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
d. qué onda (colloquial) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
Good morning, Fred! What's up?¡Buenos días, Fred! ¿Qué onda?
a. lo que pasa
They bought a new house. That's what's up with them.Compraron una casa nueva. Eso es lo que pasa con ellos.
