Saludos Alumnos - Greetings Students - How Are You Doing? ¿Cómo les va?

[Mark_Frobose]

Saludos Alumnos - Greetings Students

¿Cómo les va?  How are you doing?

Any questions?  ¿Hay preguntas?

No duden en hacerme preguntas.  Don't hesitate to ask me questions.

I'll be coming up with a new lesson soon.

Stay tuned.

Hasta pronto (Until soon)

Mark Frobose

[2010bc]

Hola Mark,

Tengo una pergunta.  I am a little unsure exactly when I should use the formal or the familiar.  I am a 67 year old female.  When I go to my favorite Mexican Restaurant, one I have gone to for many years, should I use the familiar form?  What about my neighbor's landscape gardeners?  Whenever I see them I like to say hello and exchange pleasantries, and I'm looking forward to being able to converse with them in Spanish.  I don't know them very well, but I don't want to be inappropriately formal.

Thanks, Mark.  I'm really enjoying this class.

--Bev

[2010bc]

Oops, sorry.  I meant PREGUNTA.

Bev

[peg_loves_books]

Marco,

Tengo una pregunta: you wrote 'como les va'.  the 'les' is plural, why did you use 'va' instead of 'van'.

I'm just wondering the reason behind it.  Muchas gracias!

Peggy

[Mark_Frobose]

Hola Bev,

El gusto es mío.  The pleasure is mine. 

Generally speaking, when in doubt, use the familiar.

However, if you happen to be older than the people you frequently speak with, and you have known for awhile, then you might want to go ahead and 'tutear' (use the 'tú' form).

If the person is older than you, or occupies a position superior to yours, kindly revert back to 'usted'.

You may even ask "Puedo tratarle de 'tú'? = May I use tú with you?

You can also say ... ¿Puedo tutearle?  Can I 'tú' you?  "use 'tú' with you.

I hope this helps you = Espero que esto te ayude

Abazos,

Mark

[Mark_Frobose]

Hola Peg,

You say 'va' because the 'les' refers to the plural of 'you' and the 'va' refers to the 'it's going'.

In other words, 'How is it going for you guys'.

You guys = les

it's going = va

¿Cómo les va? plural.

¿Cóme te va?  one person in the singular

¿Cómo le va?  How are you doing (formal) OR "How is he/she doing".

In Spanish, we use the verb 'ir' = to go to imply the English equivalent of 'doing'.

Qué sigas haciéndome preguntas = Keep asking me questions.

Lo adoro = I love it

Best,

Mark