buenas tardes
standard, Costa Rica
In Costa Rica "good afternoon" is buenas tardes. The short form buenas is very common and works at any time of day.
Meaning: greeting used after midday (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| buenas tardes | standard, Costa Rica |
| buenas | casual |
Use buenas tardes from noon until sunset. When you enter a shop, a soda or someone's home, a quick buenas is the usual friendly opener.
When do people say it?
Greeting before asking for anything is expected. Walking into a shop and asking a question without buenas can sound rude.
Did you know?
- Costa Rican Spanish often uses usted even among friends, so the polite ¿en qué le puedo ayudar? is heard everywhere.
Examples in context
- Buenas tardes, ¿cómo está?Good afternoon, how are you?
- Buenas, ¿me puede ayudar?Hello, can you help me?
- Muy buenas tardes a todos.A very good afternoon to everyone.
Example conversation
Carlos greets the shop owner Doña Marta in a small shop in Cartago.
- CarlosBuenas tardes.Good afternoon.
- MartaBuenas tardes, ¿en qué le puedo ayudar?Good afternoon, how can I help you?
- CarlosBusco una bolsa de café.I am looking for a bag of coffee.
