"Como estas"
* More formal: This is a more polite and formal way to ask "how are you" in Spanish. It literally translates to "How are you?".
* Used in almost any situation: You can use it with friends, family, colleagues, or even strangers.
* Requires a more elaborate answer: This question usually expects a detailed response like "Estoy bien, gracias" (I'm fine, thank you).
"Que tal"
* More informal: This is a more casual and friendly way to ask "how are you" in Spanish. It translates literally to "How about (you)".
* More common among friends and family: It's generally not used with strangers or in formal settings.
* Less detailed response expected: This question often invites a shorter reply like "Bien, gracias" (Good, thank you) or simply "Bien" (Good).
Here's an analogy: Imagine you're meeting a coworker in the hallway. You might say "Como estas?" because it's more formal. But if you're catching up with a friend at a party, you might say "Que tal?" because it's more casual.
Ultimately, both are perfectly acceptable ways to ask "how are you" in Spanish. The choice depends on the context and your relationship with the person you're talking to.