- A polite greeting used from noon (12 PM) until evening (around 5 or 6 PM).
Explanation
Origin
- Similar to Good morning, derived from I wish you a good afternoon.
- Became standard etiquette along with other time-specific greetings.
- Marks the transition from the morning work period to the later part of the day.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- G'day (Australian/NZ greeting, usable any time of day but often heard in the afternoon)
Milder/Standard:
- Hello
- Hi
Situational Appropriateness
- Suitable for both formal and informal situations during the afternoon hours.
- Common in business, customer service, and formal announcements.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Using it too early (before noon) or too late (in the evening) will sound incorrect.
- Learners need to know the approximate time window (noon to ~5/6 PM).
Examples
- Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
- Good afternoon! How was your lunch?
Dialogue
Client: Good afternoon, I have a 2 PM appointment with Ms. Evans.
Receptionist: Good afternoon. Yes, please take a seat. I'll let her know you're here.
Social Media Examples
- LinkedIn Post: Good afternoon connections! Sharing an interesting article on industry trends.
- Email Opening: Good afternoon Mr. Lee,
- Customer Service Chat: Good afternoon! Thank you for contacting support.
Response Patterns
- Good afternoon
- Afternoon (Casual, less common than Morning!)
- Hello or Hi
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After saying Good afternoon:
- Similar to Good morning, often followed by How are you? or a context-specific remark (How is your afternoon going?).
After hearing Good afternoon:
- Reciprocate (Good afternoon).
- Engage with follow-up questions or conversation.
Conversation Starter
- Yes.
- Appropriate and polite for initiating interactions during the afternoon.
Intonation
- Polite and clear pronunciation.
- Stress often on Good and the second syllable of af-ter-NOON. GOOD af-ter-NOON.
- Falling intonation at the end.
Generation Differences
- Used and understood by all generations.
Regional Variations
- Universal in English-speaking regions.