saludar con la mano
verbCEFR B1
What does “saludar con la mano” mean in English?
to wave hello / goodbye
to wave hello / goodbye (with the hand — con la mano specifies the wave gesture; saludar alone = greet generally)
Example sentences
Cuando el tren empezó a moverse, nos pusimos a saludar con la mano desde las ventanillas hasta que la estación desapareció.
When the train started moving, we started waving from the windows until the station disappeared.
La vi al otro lado de la calle y le saludé con la mano porque había demasiado tráfico para cruzar y hablar con ella.
I saw her on the other side of the street and waved at her because there was too much traffic to cross and talk to her.
En muchos países es habitual saludar con la mano a los conocidos cuando los ves pasar desde el coche o desde lejos.
In many countries it is customary to wave at acquaintances when you see them going past from your car or from a distance.
How to use it
Saludar con la mano means 'to wave hello' or 'to wave goodbye' — the waving gesture. Saludar alone means 'to greet' (including verbal greetings and physical gestures like handshakes or kisses). Con la mano specifies the waving gesture in particular, as opposed to a beso (kiss) or un apretón de manos (handshake). Common in contexts of departure, distance, or when a verbal greeting is not possible. The noun saludo means greeting.
Common mistake
Saludar without con la mano means 'to greet' generally and includes verbal greetings. Con la mano specifies the wave. Learners sometimes use *hacer una señal con la mano (make a sign with the hand), which is understandable but not the idiomatic expression for waving. The collocation saludar con la mano is the natural form.