ich wünsche dir einen schönen Tag
To say "I wish you a good day" in German, you use ich wünsche dir einen schönen Tag.
This phrase is a polite expression used to wish someone a pleasant day as a way of saying goodbye. While it can be translated as "I wish you a good day", Germans more commonly use the word for "beautiful" (schön) rather than "good" (gut) in this context. In very casual daily interactions, such as when leaving a shop, people often shorten the expression to Schönen Tag noch! or even just Einen schönen Tag!
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "I wish you a beautiful day".
Which one should you use?
The forms using dir are informal. To be polite or formal, you must change dir to the formal pronoun Ihnen. You may also see the word order changed, such as in Einen schönen Tag wünsche ich dir or Einen schönen Tag wünsche ich Ihnen, which are also valid ways to express the sentiment.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the accusative case for einen schönen Tag because the verb wünschen requires a direct object.
When do people say it?
A common and natural response to receiving this wish is Danke, gleichfalls! (Thanks, likewise!).
Did you know?
- The word Tag historically referred to a specific fixed date for a legal meeting or debate, which is why parliamentary bodies like the Reichstag still use the word today.
- In a shop, you can condense the entire sentiment into a single word of greeting: Tag!, which serves as an abbreviation for Guten Tag!
- If you are in a professional setting, you must use Ihnen instead of dir, as using the informal version with a stranger or boss can be perceived as an intentional social slight.
Examples in context
- Ich wünsche Ihnen einen schönen Tag, Herr Meyer.I wish you a good day, Mr. Meyer.
- Ich wünsche dir einen tollen Tag!I wish you a great day!
- Ich wünsche dir einen schönen Tag!I wish you a beautiful day!
- Ich wünsche dir einen schönen Tag im Büro.I wish you a nice day at the office.
- Mach's gut, ich wünsche dir einen schönen Tag.Take care, I wish you a nice day.
Example conversation
Lukas and Sarah are meeting in a park and saying goodbye.
- LukasTschüss, Sarah!Bye, Sarah!
- SarahTschüss, Lukas!Bye, Lukas!
- LukasIch wünsche dir einen schönen Tag.I wish you a nice day.
- SarahDanke, gleichfalls!Thanks, likewise!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Tag, dir, ich, CC BY-SA 4.0.
