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"Qué pasa" is a form of "qué pasa", a phrase which is often translated as "what's going on". "Qué tal" is a form of "qué tal", a phrase which is often translated as "how is". Learn more about the difference between "qué pasa" and "qué tal" below.
qué pasa(
keh
pah
-
sah
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
b. what's happening
¿Qué pasa, cariño? Oí un ruido fuerte.What's happening, dear? I heard a loud noise.
e. what's up (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
¿Qué pasa, niños? ¿Están bien?What's up, kids? Are you OK?
a. what's going on
You look so sad, dear. Tell me what's going on.Te veo muy triste, amor. Dime qué pasa.
c. what the matter is
No entiendo qué pasa, Enrique. ¿Por qué actúas como si me odiaras?I don't get what the matter is, Enrique. Why do you act like you hate me?
d. what's wrong
Dime qué pasa, hija. Quisiera poder ayudarte.Tell me what's wrong, honey. I'd like to be able to help you.
e. what's up (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
No sé qué pasa, Diego, pero recuerda que puedes contar conmigo.I don't know what's up, Diego, but remember that you can count on me.
a. what happens
Sabes qué pasa cuando mi compañero de cuarto se enoja.You know what happens when my roommate gets angry.
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.
