The first step in any conversation is a simple greeting. In Spanish, the most common and versatile way to say hello is "Hola."

You can use "Hola" at any time of day, in any situation, whether you're talking to a friend or a stranger. It's always a safe and friendly choice.

For more specific greetings, you can use phrases that depend on the time of day.

Use this from the moment you wake up until noon.

This is your go-to greeting from midday until the sun goes down.

Interestingly, "Buenas noches" works for both "Good evening" and "Good night." You can use it to greet someone when you arrive at a place in the evening, and also to say goodbye when you're leaving for the night.

After greeting someone, it's polite to ask how they are. Spanish has two main ways to do this, depending on your relationship with the person.

This is the informal way to ask. You'd use it with friends, family, people your age, or children. It's friendly and casual.

This is the formal version. Use it to show respect when speaking to someone older, a boss, a teacher, or anyone you don't know well. In New York City, using the formal "usted" with strangers is a safe and polite bet.

Being polite goes a long way in any language. These phrases are essential for daily interactions, from ordering coffee to asking for directions on the subway.

And when someone thanks you, the proper response is:

When meeting someone for the first time, you'll want to say it was nice to meet them.

Just as there are different ways to say hello, there are a few ways to say goodbye.

"Adiós" is a standard goodbye, but it can sometimes feel a bit final. A more common, casual way to part ways is:

You can use "Hasta luego" even if you aren't sure when you'll see the person again. It's a friendly and common way to end a conversation.

Now, let's test what you've learned.

With these basic phrases, you're ready to start simple, polite conversations in Spanish. ¡Buena suerte! (Good luck!)