Answering the Phone in Mexican Spanish
The first word you hear on the phone is different in every region. In Mexico people say ¿Bueno?, which can surprise learners, because bueno usually means good. After that, most phone phrases are the same everywhere.
Quick answer
- Mexico: ¿Bueno?
- Spain: ¿Diga? / ¿Dígame?
- Many South American countries: ¿Aló?
How people answer
In Mexico, ¿Bueno? is the classic answer. Businesses say Buenos días, le atiende... People also use ¿Hola? or ¿Sí? More and more with cell phones. In Spain you hear ¿Diga? and in many South American countries ¿Aló?
| Region | Phrase |
|---|---|
| Mexico | ¿Bueno? |
| Spain | ¿Diga? / ¿Dígame? |
| Colombia, Peru, Chile | ¿Aló? |
| Everywhere | ¿Hola? / ¿Sí? |
Asking for someone
Use ¿Se encuentra...? or ¿Está...? followed by the name. Add por favor. To ask who is calling, say ¿De parte de quién?
Examples
- ¿Se encuentra Marta, por favor?Is Marta there, please?Polite.
- ¿Está Carlos?Is Carlos there?Casual.
- ¿De parte de quién?Who is calling?Asked by the one who answers.
- Un momento, ahorita se lo paso.One moment, I will put him through now.Transfer.
Messages and problems
If the person is not there, you can leave a message or ask them to call you back.
Examples
- ¿Puedo dejarle un recado?May I leave a message for him?Recado = message in Mexico.
- Dígale que me llame, por favor.Please tell him to call me back.Ask for a call back.
- Disculpe, se cortó la llamada.Sorry, the call got cut off.Problem.
- No lo escucho bien. ¿Me lo repite?I cannot hear you well. Could you repeat it?Bad line.
A full call
Two voices: a coworker calls the office.
Examples
- ¿Bueno?Hello?Mexican greeting.
- Buenas tardes. ¿Se encuentra el licenciado Torres?Good afternoon. Is Mr. Torres there?Asking for someone.
- No, no se encuentra. ¿De parte de quién?No, he is not in. Who is calling?Asking who calls.
- De Ana López. ¿Puedo dejarle un recado?From Ana López. May I leave a message?Leaving a message.
- Claro. Dígame.Of course. Go ahead.Ready.
- Dígale que me llame cuando pueda. Gracias.Please tell him to call me when he can. Thank you.Close.
Spanish around the world
- ¿Bueno? is the traditional greeting in Mexico. Younger people on cell phones often say ¿Hola? or ¿Qué onda? to friends. If you call a business in Mexico, expect Buenos días, ¿en qué le puedo ayudar?.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: ¿Quién es? (to a business caller)
Correct: ¿De parte de quién?
More polite on the phone.
Incorrect: Estoy yo. (when you are the person)
Correct: Sí, soy yo. / Con él habla.
Say it like this when someone asks for you.
Incorrect: Espérate tantito, voy a ver. (formal call)
Correct: Un momento, por favor.
Keep it short and polite with callers.
Incorrect: Adiós. (as the first word)
Correct: ¿Bueno? / ¿Hola?
Use a greeting to start.
Remember the call
- Mexico: ¿Bueno? Spain: ¿Diga? South America: ¿Aló?
- Ask for someone with ¿Se encuentra...?
- Leave a message with ¿Puedo dejarle un recado?
Mini practice
5 quick questions. You get feedback right after each answer.
Frequently asked questions
Why do Mexicans say bueno on the phone?
It began as a way to confirm that the line was working. It is now just the usual greeting.
Do I have to use bueno?
No. Hola works everywhere and is also normal in Mexico.
What is the difference between recado and mensaje?
Both are messages. Recado is very common in Mexico for phone messages.
How do I end the call?
Say Gracias, hasta luego or Que le vaya bien, then adiós.
Ready to practice your Spanish?
Real phone phrases are easy to learn in short sessions. Try one free.
Words from this lesson
Open a word to hear it and see more examples.
Keep learning
Spanish Greetings: Common Phrases for Beginners
Say hello, introduce yourself, and say goodbye in Spanish, with the right phrase for the time of day and for the person.
A1Tú vs. Usted: Formal and Informal Spanish
Two ways to say “you.” Learn who gets which one, how verbs change, and how to be polite without sounding stiff.
B1Mexican Spanish Slang
Chido, órale, no manches. Learn friendly Mexican slang and when it is safe to use it.