What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "nice day still", where noch implies "for the remainder of the day".
Which one should you use?
While schönen Tag noch is used to wish someone a nice day, you should use Schönes Wochenende to wish someone a "nice weekend" on Fridays or Saturdays.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form schönen Tag noch is considered informal because the article einen has been dropped. This is the standard way to say the phrase in shops or when speaking with acquaintances. For more formal situations, you can use full sentences such as Ich wünsche Ihnen einen schönen Tag, Haben Sie einen schönen Tag, or Genießen Sie Ihren Tag.
How does it change in a sentence?
In more informal settings, the article einen is often omitted, resulting in schönen Tag noch. In informal settings with friends, you might also use the imperative forms Hab einen schönen Tag. or Genieß deinen Tag.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃøːnən taːk nɔ/
When do people say it?
A common and natural response to this phrase is Danke, gleichfalls (Thanks, likewise).
Did you know?
- The word Tag was used in historical legal documents to describe a fixed date for a meeting or debate, a meaning that survives in the word Reichstag for the German parliament.
- Using Genießen Sie Ihren Tag is far less common in daily life than the shorter schönen Tag noch, as the verb 'enjoy' can sound overly dramatic in casual German.
- The response gleichfalls is so common that it is often used as a reflexive social autopilot in German service encounters.
Examples in context
- Ich wünsche Ihnen einen schönen Tag noch.I wish you a nice day.
- Einen schönen Tag noch an alle!Have a nice day, everyone!
Example conversation
Laura and Maximilian are leaving a small coffee shop.
- LauraDanke für den Kaffee, Maximilian.Thanks for the coffee, Maximilian.
- MaximilianGerne, Laura. Schönen Tag noch!You're welcome, Laura. Have a nice day!
- LauraDanke, gleichfalls!Thanks, you too!
- MaximilianTschüss!Bye!
