buenas tardes
/ˌbwenas ˈtaɾdes/
buenas tardes is the Spanish way to say good afternoon.
buenas tardes is a greeting said in the afternoon. While it is used as a greeting when arriving, it can also be used when leaving.
Meaning: greeting said in the afternoon (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'good afternoons' because both buenas and tardes are feminine plural.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective buenas must agree in gender and number with the feminine plural noun tardes.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌbwenas ˈtaɾdes/
Did you know?
- The word tarde in 'buenas tardes' shares the same root as the English word 'deter', which stems from the idea of a delay or something being 'late'.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, the transition from 'buenas tardes' to 'buenas noches' is not determined by the clock, but by the setting of the sun.
- While English speakers use 'good afternoon' to greet people, it is very common in Spanish to simply say buenas as a shorthand for 'good afternoon' or 'good day'.
Examples in context
- Buenas tardes.Good afternoon.This sentence is useful for a simple greeting using buenas tardes.Tatoeba #872348 by japegon, translation #499689 by CK
- ¡Buenas tardes!Good afternoon!This sentence is useful for an enthusiastic greeting using buenas tardes.Tatoeba #778583 by marloncori, translation #3552554 by Meruert
- Buenas tardes. Tú eres nuestro nuevo vecino, si no me equivoco.Good afternoon. You are our new neighbor, if I'm not mistaken?This sentence is useful for using buenas tardes when meeting a new neighbor.Tatoeba #872335 by japegon, translation #871529 by CM
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro enters a small cafe where Sofía is working.
- AlejandroBuenas tardes, ¿me da un café?Good afternoon, can I have a coffee?
- SofíaBuenas tardes, señor, por supuesto.Good afternoon, sir, of course.
- AlejandroGracias, Sofía.Thank you, Sofía.
- SofíaDe nada, aquí tiene.You're welcome, here you go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “good afternoon” translations and entries buenas tardes, 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.
