Why Is It "Buenos días" and not "Buen día"? (And Other Weird Spanish Facts) | Super Easy Spanish 49

Summary

In this video, the hosts explore the origins and meanings behind common Spanish phrases like 'Hola,' 'Buenos días,' and 'Qué tal.' They discuss the Latin and French roots of these greetings, and the cultural influences shaping them, such as the use of plural forms in greetings ('Buenos días') and religious practices. They explain how 'Qué tal' has evolved from Latin and serves as an informal way to ask 'How are you?' The video offers interesting insights into the linguistic history behind everyday expressions, making it both informative and engaging for Spanish learners.

Takeaways

• 😀 The phrase 'qué tal' is an informal way of greeting and can be shortened from the question '¿Qué tal estás?'
• 😀 'Buenos días' and similar greetings in Spanish come from Latin roots and have evolved over time.
• 😀 There are three main theories explaining why Spanish greetings use the plural form, such as 'Buenos días'.
• 😀 One theory suggests that 'Buenos días' originated from the phrase 'Buenos días os de Dios' (Good days of God).
• 😀 Another theory links plural greetings to the medieval religious division of time based on prayer hours (Maitines, Laudes, Vísperas).
• 😀 The third theory suggests that Spanish uses a plural form to emphasize intensity rather than quantity, known as 'plural expresivo'.
• 😀 The word 'Hola' does not come from Latin but may have evolved from the French 'hola' used to get attention.
• 😀 'Qué tal' is an informal greeting used between friends or colleagues, while 'Qué tal estás' is slightly more formal and polite.
• 😀 'Qué tal' reflects the word 'tal' from Latin, meaning 'in this way' or 'of this kind', which evolved into its current use in Spanish.
• 😀 The speaker encourages viewers to share how they greet others in Spanish, promoting engagement and further learning.

Q & A

What is the origin of the Spanish greeting 'Hola'?

The word 'Hola' likely comes from the French expression 'Holla' or 'Hola', used to attract attention, rather than from Latin as some might assume.

Why is 'Buenos días' used in the plural form in Spanish?

There are three theories: 1) It originated from the longer phrase 'Buenos días os de Dios'. 2) It follows the pattern of the canonical hours used in religious practices during the Middle Ages. 3) It’s influenced by the concept of plural as an intensifier in Spanish.

What are the canonical hours mentioned in the video?

The canonical hours were religious prayer times in monasteries during the Middle Ages, such as Maitines (before dawn), Laudes (at dawn), and Vísperas (after sunset).

What is the concept of the 'plural expressivo' in Spanish?

The 'plural expressivo' is used in Spanish to convey intensity rather than quantity. It's seen in phrases like 'felicitaciones', 'gracias', and 'mis condolencias', where the plural emphasizes the sentiment.

What does the phrase '¿Qué tal?' mean in Spanish?

'¿Qué tal?' is a shortened form of '¿Qué tal estás?', which is an informal way of asking 'How are you?' or 'How’s it going?'

Why is '¿Qué tal?' considered informal?

'¿Qué tal?' is used among friends or colleagues, making it an informal greeting. It’s simpler and more casual than the more formal '¿Qué tal estás?'

What does the word 'tal' in '¿Qué tal?' derive from?

The word 'tal' comes from the Latin word 'talis', which means 'of this kind' or 'such', and over time, it evolved to refer to a way of asking about someone's state or condition.

How is '¿Qué tal?' different from '¿Qué tal estás?'?

'¿Qué tal?' is an informal greeting, while '¿Qué tal estás?' is slightly more formal, showing a bit more respect or seriousness.

In what contexts would you use '¿Qué tal?' versus '¿Qué tal estás?'?

'¿Qué tal?' is used in casual situations among friends or peers, while '¿Qué tal estás?' is used when you want to sound a bit more respectful or formal, for example, when speaking to someone older or in a more serious context.

Can 'Buenos días' be used in informal settings, or is it strictly formal?

'Buenos días' is commonly used as a polite and formal greeting, especially in the morning. However, it can also be used informally depending on the relationship between the speakers.