Spanish help?

¿Cómo estás tú?

I know that it means: "How are you?"

My question is, is the "tú" neccessary?

Wheneer I've spoken to or greated someone or they've greeted me in Spanish, I"ve never heard the "tu" on it, they/I would just say Cómo estás

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basilfawlty89 · 31-35, M

No it's not required, but it's a more formal way.

Elessar · 26-30, M

@basilfawlty89 Is it? I mean, the Italian equivalents at least ("come stai?" v. "come stai tu?") are perfectly interchangeable, even in formal contexts; I would use the longer form only if it isn't clear who I'm addressing, at most

basilfawlty89 · 31-35, M

@Elessar it is, somewhat unnecessary. You can add it for fancy Spanish, but it's inferred. It's not uncommon in Indo-European languages. You find the same in Armenian and Gaelic.