Buenas noches
standard
To say good evening to a girl, say Buenas noches. Earlier in the evening, while it is still light, Buenas tardes is also used. It is also called Buenas noches, señorita.
Meaning: evening greeting (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| Buenas noches | standard |
| Buenas noches, señorita | polite |
| Buenas tardes | early evening |
Spanish has no separate word for "evening". Speakers switch from buenas tardes to buenas noches around dusk, and buenas noches is both a greeting and a goodbye at night.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
With a stranger or a young woman you meet at work, add señorita as in Buenas noches, señorita. With a friend, use her name or hola first.
How does it change in a sentence?
The greeting is the same for any person. Only the words you add change with gender, such as señorita, señora or a pet name ending in -a.
Did you know?
- In Spain dinner is often eaten after 9 pm, so buenas noches can start quite late compared with English "good evening".
Examples in context
- Buenas noches, Marina.Good evening, Marina.
- Hola, buenas noches, ¿cómo estás?Hello, good evening, how are you?
- Buenas noches, señorita, su mesa está lista.Good evening, miss, your table is ready.
Example conversation
Un camarero welcomes a guest at a restaurant.
- CamareroBuenas noches, señorita. ¿Tiene reserva?Good evening, miss. Do you have a reservation?
- ClientaBuenas noches. Sí, a nombre de Vega.Good evening. Yes, under the name Vega.
- CamareroPerfecto, sígame por favor.Perfect, please follow me.
