buenos días, señoras
The English phrase 'good morning ladies' is translated into Spanish as buenos días, señoras.
This phrase is a polite greeting used in the morning when addressing a group of women.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to 'good days, ladies' because días (days) is a masculine plural noun.
Which one should you use?
If the group includes even one man, you must change the phrase to the masculine form buenos días, señores or the mixed-gender form buenos días a todos.
Is it said differently in some regions?
While buenos días is the standard greeting, buen día is a singular alternative used in some regions, though buenos días remains the most common form.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the group consists of young, unmarried women, you would replace señoras with señoritas.
Did you know?
- The word señora comes from the Latin senior, meaning 'older', which explains why the term historically distinguished married or older women from señoritas.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, a greeting like buenos días, señoras is often accompanied by a light kiss on the cheek or a handshake, depending on the level of formality and region.
- In very formal settings, such as addressing a group of high-ranking officials, señoras might be replaced by the more prestigious term damas.
Examples in context
- Buenos días, señoras, ¿cómo están?Good morning, ladies, how are you?
- Buenos días, señoras, bienvenidas al curso.Good morning, ladies, welcome to the course.
- Hola, buenos días, señoras.Hello, good morning, ladies.
Example conversation
Daniel enters a room where María and her colleagues are sitting.
- DanielBuenos días, señoras.Good morning, ladies.
- MaríaBuenos días, Daniel.Good morning, Daniel.
- Daniel¿Tienen un momento?Do you have a moment?
- MaríaSí, adelante.Yes, go ahead.
