Italian greetings are often the first words you’ll use in a taxi, hotel, or shop, but they don’t always match the time of day as neatly as in English.
You’re probably already familiar with buongiorno, which is “good morning” in Italian, and maybe buonasera (good evening), but what should you say if you walk into one of Rome’s beautiful museums at 3:00 p.m.? Find out why buon pomeriggio is rarely used as “good afternoon” in Italian and what to say instead.
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How do you say ‘good afternoon’ in Italian?
The most direct translation of “good afternoon” in Italian is buon pomeriggio. However, Italians prefer buongiorno (good morning) and buonasera (good evening). Discover why that is and what your best alternatives are when greeting people in the afternoon.
Buon pomeriggio
Buon pomeriggio is made up of buon (good) + pomeriggio (afternoon). But it’s really uncommon to hear it as a greeting when you bump into someone, especially in Southern Italy.
You won’t sound wrong saying buon pomeriggio, but it feels overly formal. That’s why Italians tend to use it in specific settings:
- To wish others a good rest-of-the-day when leaving in the early afternoon, like saying buona giornata—“have a good day” in Italian.
- On TV or radio, when a host greets the audience.
- During public speaking events, work presentations, or other formal situations.
- In emails, messages, or other non-face-to-face communication.
- As a reply to someone wishing you a good afternoon.
| Italian | English | Usage |
| Buon pomeriggio a chi si è appena sintonizzato. | Good afternoon to those who just tuned in. | TV/Radio |
| Buon pomeriggio a tutti i telespettatori. | Good afternoon to all our viewers. | TV host |
| Buon pomeriggio anche a te/lei. (informal/formal) | Good afternoon to you too. | Polite reply |
| Buon pomeriggio e benvenuti a questo meeting… | Good afternoon and welcome to this meeting… | Work presentation, formal meeting, etc. |
| Buon pomeriggio e buon lavoro. | Good afternoon and have a good day at work. | Professional written greeting |
| Buon pomeriggio, Le scrivo per ricordarle… | Good afternoon, I’m writing to remind you… | Formal email start |
| Ci vediamo stasera, allora. Buon pomeriggio. | See you tonight, then. Good afternoon. | Casual goodbye |
| Io adesso esco. Buon pomeriggio. | I’m heading out now. Have a good afternoon. | Casual goodbye |
| Ti/le auguro un buon pomeriggio. (informal/formal) | I wish you a good afternoon. | Email/message closing |
Buongiorno
Here’s something that surprises a lot of English speakers: Italians use buongiorno well into the afternoon.
That’s because giorno means “day,” and it covers the entire daylight span. Hence, as a greeting, buongiorno can mean “good morning” and “good afternoon,” depending on the time you use it.
It works seamlessly in formal and informal settings. You can say it when meeting someone for the first time that day, walking into an office, chatting with a friend after lunch, or making small talk with a stranger.
- Buongiorno, hai pranzato bene? = Good afternoon, did you have a nice lunch?
- Buongiorno, che caldo questo pomeriggio! = Good afternoon. This afternoon is so hot!
- Buongiorno, com’è andata la mattina? = Good afternoon, how was your morning?
Buonasera
Buonasera is a formal expression that means “good evening” in Italian, but it also works as a polite greeting from late afternoon until late at night.
Its use depends on the context and when the sun sets. For example, imagine you’re meeting Italian clients for an aperitivo. It’s only 5:00 p.m., but it’s winter and already getting dark. In this case, buonasera is the most appropriate way to say “good afternoon” in Italian.
However, when you’re among friends, buonasera sounds too formal. Italians only use it ironically in casual situations, like when someone shows up late:
- Buonaseeeera! È dalle quattro che ti aspettiamo! = Good afternooooon! We’ve been waiting for you since 4:00 p.m.!
Best times to say buongiorno, buon pomeriggio, and buonasera
Here’s a quick breakdown of how Italians typically greet people throughout the day (though it may vary a little by region):
- Buongiorno: Use it from early morning until noon to mean “good morning” and from noon to around 4:00 or 5:00 p.m. to say “good afternoon.”
- Buon pomeriggio: Rarely used, but when it does appear, it’s suitable for any time from noon to 5:00 p.m.
- Buonasera: Say it from around 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to mean “good afternoon” and after 7:00 p.m. to say “good evening.”
Remember: Buonanotte (good night) is only used when someone is going to bed or wrapping up their day.
What can you say instead of ‘good afternoon’?
If you’re not sure which greeting works best to say “good afternoon” in Italian or you’re looking for something more casual, these alternatives are always a safe choice:
- Ciao (hi/bye): Perfect for friends, family, and people your age in relaxed settings.
- Salve (hello): A polite, slightly formal greeting that works well with strangers or when unsure how formal to be.
In the chart, you’ll find more options for saying “goodbye” mid-afternoon.
| Italian | English | Usage |
| A dopo/A più tardi. | See you later. | Casual, when you both know you’ll see each other later the same day |
| Arrivederci. | Goodbye. | Formal goodbye |
| Buon proseguimento/Buona continuazione. | Enjoy the rest of your day. | Polite, semi formal |
| Buon rientro. | Get home safe. | When someone is heading home |
| Stammi bene. | Take care. | Informal, warm goodbye |
Now that you know how to say “good afternoon” like a local, why stop there? The Rosetta Stone App helps you master everyday Italian: no awkward textbook sentences but live lessons, stories, and real-life conversation phrases.
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