QUICK ANSWER
"What's up" is a form of "what's up", a phrase which is often translated as "qué tal". "Hey" is a form of "hey", an interjection which is often translated as "oye". Learn more about the difference between "what's up" and "hey" below.
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.
hey(
hey
)An interjection is a short utterance that expresses emotion, hesitation, or protest (e.g., Wow!).
1. (colloquial) (used to attract attention)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. oye (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?).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
Hey! What's wrong with you?¡Oye! ¿Qué te pasa?
b. oiga (formal) (singular)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
A word or phrase that is singular (e.g., el gato).
Hey! You can't park there.¡Oiga! Ahí no se puede estacionar.
e. ole (Colombia)
Regionalism used in Colombia
Hey, don't talk to me like that!¡Ole! ¡No me hables así!
f. hala (Colombia)
Regionalism used in Colombia
Hey, don't feed the dog!¡Hala! ¡No le des comida al perro!
g. momentito (Argentina)
Regionalism used in Argentina
Hey, don't cut in line!¡Momentito! ¡No te cueles!
2. (greeting)
