Buonasera
greeting, polite
Buonasera is the Italian greeting for "good evening". It is made of buona, "good", and sera, "evening". It is also called Salve and Buona serata.
Meaning: good evening (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Italian | Note |
|---|---|
| Buonasera | greeting, polite |
| Salve | neutral |
| Buona serata | wish for the evening |
Italians start using it from the afternoon or early evening, usually after about five, and keep using it until bedtime. Before that Buongiorno is used.
Which one should you use?
Buonasera is a greeting when you meet someone. Buona serata is a wish, "have a good evening", and is usually said when you leave.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Buonasera fits shops, restaurants and people you do not know. Friends often say Ciao instead.
Did you know?
- Italian has a single word for the whole evening greeting, Buonasera, while the word for night, Buonanotte, is only said when going to bed.
Examples in context
- Buonasera, signoraGood evening, madam
- Buonasera a tuttiGood evening, everyone
- Grazie, buona serataThank you, have a good evening
Example conversation
Luca enters a small restaurant in Florence in the evening and the waiter Paolo greets him.
- PaoloBuonasera, signore.Good evening, sir.
- LucaBuonasera. Un tavolo per due, per favore.Good evening. A table for two, please.
- PaoloCerto, prego, si accomodi.Of course, please, come in and take a seat.
