Mexican Greetings

What's up / How's it going

¿Qué onda? is the most Mexican way to greet someone casually. Literally "what wave?", it works exactly like "what's up?" in English. You'll hear it dozens of times a day in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and everywhere in between.

Nice to meet you

"Mucho gusto" is the universal Mexican way to say "nice to meet you" — the safe, polite default when meeting someone for the first time. It works in every register, from a hotel lobby introduction to a casual party. Mexicans often reply with "el gusto es mío" ("the pleasure is mine") which is a small, elegant touch worth knowing.

Hi / Good day (shortened) — Mexican usage

"Buenas" is the Mexican shortened greeting — a catch-all that covers "buenos días", "buenas tardes", or "buenas noches" depending on the time of day. It's polite without being formal, perfect when you walk into a store, taxi, or restaurant.

Bon appétit / Enjoy your meal

"Provecho" is the small Mexican courtesy that catches foreigners off guard: when you walk past someone eating — in a restaurant, on the street, at home — you say "provecho" as you pass. It's the verbal equivalent of a nod, acknowledging their meal. Mexicans use it constantly and notice when foreigners don't.

See you in a bit

"Al rato" is one of Mexico's most beloved time expressions — vague, friendly, and impossible to pin down. Combined with "nos vemos" it becomes the warm casual "see you in a bit" that Mexicans use whether they mean five minutes or five hours from now. The vagueness is the point.

What's up / What's happening

"¿Qué pasó?" is the Mexican casual greeting that's slightly more informal than "¿Qué onda?" — it asks "what's up?" or "what happened?" depending on context. With friends, it's a simple hello. After missing a few days, it means "what's new?"