What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "nice day still", where noch implies "for the rest of the day".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Dropping the article Einen at the beginning makes the phrase more casual and common in everyday retail or social interactions. In more formal situations, you might use Haben Sie einen schönen Tag, Ich wünsche Ihnen einen schönen Tag, or Einen schönen Tag wünsche ich Ihnen. For an informal alternative to express well-wishes, you can also use Hab einen schönen Tag. or Wünsch dir einen schönen Tag, or even Mach's gut. to mean "Take care" or "Be well".
How does it change in a sentence?
schönen Tag noch is an elliptical form of Ich wünsche Ihnen einen schönen Tag noch, which is why it uses the accusative case einen schönen Tag. Dropping the article Einen at the beginning makes the phrase more casual.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʃøːnən taːk nɔ/
When do people say it?
A common and natural way to respond to this phrase is Danke, gleichfalls! (Thanks, likewise!).
Did you know?
- The word noch comes from an ancient combination of the Proto-Indo-European words for 'now' and 'and'. This is why it conveys the idea of something continuing into the future.
- While schönen Tag noch is the standard phrase, using Mach's gut is a common alternative that translates to 'do it well'. It functions as a casual way to tell someone to take care of themselves.
- The common reply gleichfalls is a single word that efficiently replaces an entire sentence. It essentially tells the other person 'the same applies to you' without needing a verb.
Examples in context
- Einen schönen Tag noch!Have a nice day!This sentence demonstrates a common way to say "Have a nice day!" using the form schönen Tag noch.Tatoeba #3748902 by Jens_Odo, translation #30095 by CK
- Danke, und schönen Tag noch.Thank you, have a nice day.This sentence shows how to respond with "Thank you, have a nice day" using the form schönen Tag noch.Tatoeba #8668728 by mramosch, translation #8668715 by ajje
- Herr Schmidt, ich wünsche Ihnen einen schönen Tag.Mr. Schmidt, I wish you a nice day.
- Julia, hab einen schönen Tag.Julia, have a nice day.
- Ich wünsche Ihnen einen schönen Tag noch.I wish you a nice day.
Example conversation
A customer is leaving a small cafe.
- JuliaDas macht dann zehn Euro, bitte.That will be ten euros, please.
- LukasHier bitte, vielen Dank.Here you go, thank you very much.
- JuliaGerne, schönen Tag noch!You're welcome, have a nice day!
- LukasDanke, Ihnen auch.Thanks, you too.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (schönen, Tag, noch) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Tag, noch, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
