How to say “Good Afternoon” in Italian
Good afternoon in Italian is buon pomeriggio (pronounced bwon po-meh-REED-jo). It is correct and polite, but Italians rarely use it to greet someone. In everyday life they keep saying buongiorno well into the afternoon and switch to buonasera in the late afternoon or evening.
Below you will find the three greetings, the times when each one fits, and what to say when you leave.
Which Greeting to Use in the Afternoon
| Time of day | What Italians usually say |
| Morning until after lunch | Buongiorno |
| Afternoon, in formal or work settings | Buongiorno or buon pomeriggio |
| Late afternoon and evening | Buonasera |
| Any time, neutral and polite | Salve |
| Any time, with friends | Ciao |
These times are approximate, because there is no official rule.
Buon Pomeriggio
The most straightforward way to say “good afternoon” in Italian is buon pomeriggio. This phrase is used specifically for the afternoon, which typically falls between lunchtime and the early evening.
While it is grammatically correct and perfectly polite, notice that buon pomeriggio is not as commonly used as other Italian greetings.
So when do Italians say buon pomeriggio? Mostly in more formal or organised settings: at work, in an afternoon meeting or lesson, when writing an email, and on radio or TV. It also works as a wish when you leave, like the English “have a good afternoon”.
Buon pomeriggio a tutti, iniziamo la lezione.
Good afternoon everyone, let’s start the lesson.
Grazie mille, buon pomeriggio!
Thank you so much, have a good afternoon!
Grazie, altrettanto!
Thanks, you too!
This is why I will here show you other ways to say “good afternoon” in Italian.
Buongiorno
As you might know already, in Italian buongiorno literally translates to “good day” or “good morning”. However, Italians frequently use it even in the afternoon.
It is the default greeting for much of the day, which is why you might hear people saying buongiorno until 3 p.m., especially in casual interactions.
Buongiorno, ho un appuntamento alle due.
Good afternoon, I have an appointment at two.
Buonasera
In the previous section, I chose 3 p.m. not too randomly. There is no written rule, but 3 p.m. for me feels like a right moment to switch from buongiorno – or buon pomeriggio – to buonasera, which means “good evening” in Italian.
Generally speaking, Italians start using buonasera in the late afternoon, but of course it may vary depending on the region and the situation. This transition from afternoon to evening happens with more preciseness in formal settings, like shops or restaurants.
The switch also changes from place to place and from person to person. Some speakers, especially in the south, start saying buonasera soon after lunch, while others wait until it gets dark. If you are unsure, listen to what the shop assistant or waiter says and copy it.
Buonasera, avete un tavolo per due?
Good evening, do you have a table for two?
Salve
Salve is a neutral hello that fits any time of day, so it solves the “which greeting?” problem. It sounds a little more formal than ciao and friendlier than a stiff buongiorno, which makes it a good choice with people you do not know well.
Ciao
With friends, family and people of your age, ciao works at any hour. Save it for informal situations, and see my guide to the meaning of ciao for more.
Saying Good Afternoon When You Leave
To wish someone a good rest of the afternoon, buon pomeriggio works. You can also say buona giornata (“have a good day”), or the more polite buon proseguimento di giornata (“enjoy the rest of your day”). With friends, a dopo or a più tardi (“see you later”) is enough. You can find more in my guide to saying goodbye in Italian.
Buon proseguimento di giornata!
Enjoy the rest of your day!
Grazie, altrettanto!
Thank you, you too!
Good Afternoon in Emails and Messages
At work, buon pomeriggio is a common way to open a message sent in the afternoon, followed by a comma. In the morning people write buongiorno, and later buonasera. My guide to writing an email in Italian covers the rest of the message.
Buon pomeriggio, le scrivo per chiederle un’informazione.
Good afternoon, I am writing to ask you for some information.
If you also want the morning greeting, read how to say good morning in Italian.
Master Italian Greetings
If you want to sound natural and polite when greeting people in Italian, it’s important to understand the nuances of when to say what. By learning these greetings and their appropriate contexts, you’ll make a positive impression on the people you meet.
So next time you’re in Italy during the afternoon, don’t hesitate to say buon pomeriggio and see how it enhances your interactions!
