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How to Say ‘How are you? (formal)’ in Mexican Spanish

¿Cómo está usted?

KOH-moh eh-STAH oos-TEHD

[KOH-moh eh-STAH oos-TEHD]

💬 Usage Tip: With usted, the verb drops the final -s: está, not estás. It's the same form you'd use for "he" or "she".

🇲🇽 In Mexico: Use it with older people, officials, and anyone you're serving or being served by. Mexicans lean formal with strangers more than many other Spanish speakers.

Phrase Breakdown

Cómo

[KOH-moh]

how

Used to ask about the nature or character of something.

Example

¿Cómo se usa «Cómo» en preguntas sobre la empresa?

How is “Cómo” used in questions about the company?

está

[eh-STAH]

are you / is

Formal form of estar, used to ask how someone is or describe a temporary condition.

Example

¿Cómo está? Le hablo porque el boiler no está funcionando.

How are you? I’m calling because the water heater is not working.

usted

[oos-TEHD]

you (formal)

“Usted” is the respectful form of “you,” often appropriate with a mother-in-law or father-in-law.

Example

Esto es para usted, señora.

This is for you, ma’am.

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