vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Qué onda" is a form of "qué onda", a phrase which is often translated as "what's up". "Qué tal" is a form of "qué tal", a phrase which is often translated as "how is". Learn more about the difference between "qué onda" and "qué tal" below.
qué onda(
keh
ohn
-
dah
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (colloquial) (salutation) (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.
a. what's up (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Hola, Fede. ¿Qué onda, güey? - Todo bien. ¿Y tú?Hey, Fede. What's up, dude? - All good. And you?
b. alright (colloquial) (United Kingdom)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
¿Qué onda, mano? ¿Qué es de tu vida?Alright, mate? What have you been up to?
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.
