Ciao, ragazzi (lads)!
When do you say Buongiorno? And when do you switch to Buonasera? My students in Ireland (and curious minds everywhere) ask me this all the time—and trust me, it’s a classic Italian puzzle!
Buongiorno translates to “Good morning” in English, but literally, it’s Buon (good) giorno (day). So, when does the “morning” end and Buonasera (our “Good evening” vibe) take over?
Back when I was a kid, running around under the Italian sun, the nonni (grandparents) had a rule: after 1 or 2 PM, you’d switch to Buonasera. But let’s be real—when it’s summer, and the sun’s still splitting stones at 4 PM, saying “Good evening” doesn’t feel right at all. Some Italian people would look up at the sun and back at you and say ‘Buonasera? Veramente?’ (really;-)
So, here’s the modern Italian secret: there’s no strict rule! Buongiorno works as long as the sun’s still shining bright. Think of it as saying “Good day” to celebrate that glorious daylight.
Bonus tip: Buongiorno (and Buonasera) is your go-to for everyone—fancy strangers, your barista, your bestie, or even your nosy neighbor. It’s the Swiss Army knife of Italian greetings!
Allora, go spread some Buongiorno cheer while the sun’s out, and stay tuned for our next post to unravel more Italian magic (like what Buona giornata really means 😉
Buona giornata a tutti!
