Italian · Greetings & Essentials
"Good evening" in Italian: buonasera
buonasera
Good evening in Italian is buonasera (bwoh-nah-SEH-rah). Use it as hello from late afternoon onward with strangers and staff. It also works as a polite goodbye in the evening.
Entering a restaurant at 8 p.m.
Buonasera, abbiamo prenotato per due.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce buonasera
Say it
bwoh-nah-SEH-rah
/bwɔ.naˈse.ra/
Buonasera stresses SEH: bwoh-nah-SEH-rah. Written as one word.
"Good evening" in Italian: quick reference
| Italian | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| buonasera | good evening Hello or polite goodbye from late afternoon. | Hello or polite goodbye from late afternoon. |
| buona sera | good evening Sometimes written as two words; same greeting. | Sometimes written as two words; same greeting. |
| buongiorno | good morning / hello Earlier in the day. | Earlier in the day. |
| buonanotte | good night For leaving or bedtime—not arrival at a restaurant. | For leaving or bedtime—not arrival at a restaurant. |
How to use buonasera in real life
- 1Entering a restaurant at 8 p.m.
Buonasera, abbiamo prenotato per due.
Good evening, we booked for two.
Standard polite entrance.
- 2Answering a shop doorbell late day
Buonasera! Come posso aiutarla?
Good evening! How can I help you?
Staff greeting.
- 3Leaving a pharmacy
Buonasera e grazie!
Good evening and thank you!
Works as goodbye too.
Mistakes English speakers make with buonasera
Incorrect: Buonanotte! (walking into a trattoria at 9 p.m.)
Correct: Buonasera!
Buonanotte is for leaving or bedtime, not for arriving.
Incorrect: Buono sera!
Correct: Buonasera!
It is one greeting word (or buona sera)—not buono sera.
Good to know
There is no national switch-hour from buongiorno to buonasera—many places flip in mid or late afternoon. Mirror the greeting you receive. Phone calls in the evening often start with a quick buonasera.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Checking into a B&B after dark
ChatPal
Buonasera, cerca la camera tre?
Good evening, are you looking for room three?
You
Buonasera, sì: ecco i documenti.
Good evening, yes: here are the documents.
ChatPal
Perfetto. Buonasera anche al suo amico.
Perfect. Good evening to your friend too.
You
Grazie, a dopo.
Thanks, see you later.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Good evening" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Good evening" in Italian
When do I start saying buonasera?
Often from mid/late afternoon. Follow locals if unsure.
Buonasera or buonanotte?
Buonasera for hello/goodbye in the evening. Buonanotte for bedtime or final farewell at night.
Is it one word or two?
Usually one word: buonasera. Buona sera also appears.
Can I use it with friends?
Yes, though ciao is fine among close friends; buonasera is warmer with acquaintances.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
Keep reading
- How to Learn Italian Fast and Speak with ConfidenceLearn how to learn Italian with a clear roadmap, speaking-first tactics and daily habits that turn basics into real conversation confidence.
- Translate Hello in Italian with ConfidenceLearn how to translate hello in Italian with context, pronunciation, and practice prompts. Master ciao, buongiorno, buonasera, and salve for real conversations.
