Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| послеобе́денное вре́мя | posleobédennoje vrémja | neuter |
| втора́я полови́на дня | vtorája polovína dnja | feminine |
| пополу́дни | popolúdni | adverb |
Russian uses different terms depending on whether you are naming the time period as a noun or describing when something happens. For the time period itself, you can use the noun forms, though in casual conversation, people often simply use днём (during the day) or specify the exact time.
What does it mean word for word?
The term послеобе́денное вре́мя is literally composed of после (after), обед (lunch/dinner) and время (time), translating to 'after-lunch time'. The phrase втора́я полови́на дня literally means 'the second half of the day'.
Which one should you use?
Послеобе́денное вре́мя is a formal noun used to refer to the period of the afternoon. Втора́я полови́на дня is another noun phrase meaning 'the second half of the day'. In contrast to these nouns, пополу́дни is an adverb used to mean 'in the afternoon'.
How does it change in a sentence?
While послеобе́денное вре́мя and втора́я полови́на дня function as nouns, the form пополу́дни functions as an adverb to describe when an action takes place.
How do you pronounce it?
posleobédennoje vrémja
Did you know?
- While English speakers say 'Good afternoon', Russians typically use Добрый день (Good day), which is used from morning until the sun begins to set.
- The adverb пополу́дни sounds quite archaic or literary to the modern ear. You are much more likely to encounter it in 19th-century Russian novels than in a modern text message or a casual conversation about plans.
- If a Russian says после обеда, they are literally saying 'after lunch', but they are using it as a time marker for the entire afternoon.
Examples in context
- Добрый день, ребята! Я очень рад быть здесь!Good afternoon, guys! I'm very glad to be here!
Example conversation
Sergey and Maria are discussing their schedules for tomorrow.
- Сергей SergeyКогда ты будешь свободна завтра?Kogda ty budesh' svobodna zavtra?When will you be free tomorrow?
- Мария MariaМне подходит послеобе́денное вре́мя.Mne podkhodit posleobedennoye vremya.The afternoon works for me.
- Сергей SergeyОтлично, давай встретимся в три часа.Otlichno, davay vstretimsya v tri chasa.Great, let's meet at three o'clock.
- Мария MariaХорошо, Сергей, до завтра!Khorosho, Sergey, do zavtra!Okay, Sergey, see you tomorrow!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “afternoon” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
