How to Say Good Morning in Spanish: Phrases to Jumpstart Your Day

So, you just landed in a Spanish-speaking country, it’s still too early for lunch, and all you want is a quick breakfast. You step into a café, and of course, you want to be polite with the locals. You take out your phone and google how to say “good morning” in Spanish. We’ve got you!

In this article, we’ll go over the different ways to greet people in the morning, when to use them, and some tips to sound natural—so let’s dive in.

The basics of how to say “good morning” in Spanish

Alright, let’s get the obvious out of the way: if you want to greet someone in the morning in Spanish, your go-to phrase is “Buenos días.” It literally means “good days,” but don’t overthink it—you’re just saying “good morning.” Simple.

Hola vs. buenos días

Here’s the deal: “Hola” is your casual, everyday hello. It works any time of day, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., but it’s kind of like showing up to a fancy brunch in sweatpants—technically fine, but not impressively polite.

“Buenos días”, on the other hand, is your polished, socially respectable option. Think of it as wearing a crisp shirt while walking into that same brunch. It signals that you’re aware of the time of day and respect the local custom.

Pronunciation tips

When to say “buenos días” (and when not to)

Knowing when to say “Buenos días” is just as important as knowing how to say it. Timing is everything—especially when mornings mean different things in different places.

How to greet people in Spanish throughout the day

In Spanish, greetings change with the time of day:

Polite ways to greet someone in Spanish in the morning

When you want to sound courteous in Spanish, it’s not just what you say, but how you say it. A few simple phrases can go a long way in making a good impression:

Cultural quirks: are you really saying “good morning”?

Here’s a fun note: “morning” can be very relative. In some places, people start their day at 7 a.m., in others, at 10 a.m. If you’re too early, expect sleepy eyes; too late, and you might get a slightly confused look. Either way, greeting someone shows effort, and most locals appreciate it—even if your timing is a little off.

Casual ways to say good morning in Spanish

Sometimes, buenos días feels a bit formal—especially with friends, coworkers you know well, or the barista who remembers your coffee order. That’s when casual greetings come in handy.

Buen día and other variations

How to nail your Spanish greetings without overthinking it

Saying “buenos días” is one thing—but delivering it like a local? That’s a whole different skill. Fortunately, it’s not rocket science. It’s mostly about timing, tone, and a few simple gestures.

Body, tone, and timing: the secret sauce of Spanish greetings

Combine these elements, and your greeting will feel effortless and authentic.

Stop doing this when you greet someone in Spanish

Even if you’ve nailed your buenos días or hola, a few small mistakes can make your greeting feel awkward or unnatural. Don’t worry—these are easy to avoid once you know what to watch out for.

Here are some practical tips to help you greet like a local without any embarrassing hiccups:

Follow these simple tips, and you’ll greet people like a local without thinking twice.

[Video example] Buenos días in action – Watch the natives do their thing

So, you’re on YouTube, watching your favourite music video “Buenos días” by Wisin, Camilo, and Los Legendarios. The song is upbeat, the visuals are colorful, there’s humor, and people are having a great time.

In one part, you hear Camilo say:

It’s a perfect example of a casual, friendly morning greeting. Buenos días gives you the standard “good morning,” while guapa adds a warm, playful touch.

With Migaku, subtitles appear in both Spanish and English. You can click on any word you don’t know for a quick explanation without pausing the video.

Spending just a few minutes with this clip helps these phrases stick naturally. You hear Spanish as it’s really used, see gestures and tone in action, and pick up expressions that make your morning greetings sound authentic.

That’s a wrap! Now you’re ready to say buenos días and rule your mornings in Spanish

By now, you’ve seen how Spanish speakers greet each other in the morning—formal, casual, playful, and everything in between. You know when to use Buenos días, when Hola is enough, and even how to add a little extra charm.

So go ahead—say “buenos días” to a friend, the barista, or even your cat. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel, and before you know it, greetings in Spanish will roll off your tongue like second nature.

¡Que tengas un buen día! And see you next time!🤗