Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| buenos días | /ˌbwenos ˈdias/ | |
| buenas | /ˈbwenas/ | informal |
The phrase is used as a greeting between sunrise and sunset. In many Spanish-speaking contexts, buenos días is used specifically to mean "good morning".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase buenos días literally translates to "good days" in the plural.
Which one should you use?
While buenos días is the standard plural form used as a greeting, you may also encounter the singular buen día, which can be used as a greeting or a wish. Additionally, the shortened form buenas is a common, informal way to say "good day" or "hello" at any time of day.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Buenos días is a formal way to say "good day". In contrast, buenas is an informal way to say "good day" or "hello".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, particularly in Latin America, the shorter version buen día is preferred. The informal form buenas is used in some regions, such as Spain, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular buen día is used in some regions, particularly in Latin America, as a greeting or a wish.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌbwenos ˈdias/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the singular buen día when they intend to use the standard greeting buenos días.
When do people say it?
To add a touch of courtesy, you can use the phrase Que tenga un buen día, which translates to "have a good day".
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, it is customary to say buenos días to every single person you encounter when entering a small shop or a lift.
- The informal greeting buenas is believed to be a shortened version of buenas tardes rather than buenos días.
- The adjective bueno changes to buen in buen día because it precedes a masculine singular noun, a rule called apocope.
Examples in context
- Buenos días. ¿Qué quieres?Good day. What do you want?This example shows how to use buenos días when asking someone what they want.Tatoeba #3268528 by cueyayotl, translation #2310291 by Gulo_Luscus
- Buenos días.Good day.This is a simple way to use buenos días as a standalone greeting.Tatoeba #2258235 by hayastan, translation #1844755 by wwkudu
- ¡Buenos días!Good day!This demonstrates using buenos días as an enthusiastic greeting.Tatoeba #403913 by cueyayotl, translation #855284 by pirytm
- Buenos días, ¿cómo está?Good day, how are you?
- ¡Hola, buen día! ¿Cómo les va?Hello, good day! How are you all doing?
- Buenas tardes a todos. Espero que tengan un buen día de trabajoGood afternoon, everyone. I hope you have a good workday
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Daniel meet in a cafe in the morning.
- MaríaBuenos días, Daniel.Good day, Daniel.
- DanielBuenos días, María. ¿Cómo estás?Good day, María. How are you?
- MaríaMuy bien, gracias.Very well, thanks.
- DanielMe alegro mucho.I am very glad.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “good day” translations and entries buenos días, buenas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries buenas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
