KidsGen / Wishes in Many Languages / Good Evening

Good evening in many languages

As the sky turns orange and the day slows down, a warm "good evening" tells someone you're glad to see them before dinner, a visit or a video call. Here's how families from Tel Aviv to Tokyo say it β€” starting with "Erev tov", good evening in Hebrew.

Say it now: Erev tov β€” good evening, in Hebrew
Good evening wishes written in many different languages
A gentler greeting

Why "good evening" feels different from "hello"

Most languages treat evening greetings as slightly more formal or tender than a casual hello β€” it's the moment families reunite at the end of the day. In many cultures, the evening greeting is also the cue to slow down: to sit for dinner, to check in on each other, or to switch from "how's your day going" to "how was your day". Learning it is a small way to join in that daily ritual, wherever in the world it's happening.

Try it yourself

Good evening greetings around the world

Search for a language below, or scroll by region. Tap "Copy" on any card to paste the greeting straight into a message.

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Europe

French
Bonsoir
bohn-SWAHR
German
Guten Abend
GOO-ten AH-bent
Italian
Buonasera
bwoh-nah-SEH-rah
Spanish
Buenas tardes
BWEH-nas TAR-des
Portuguese
Boa tarde
BOH-ah TAR-jee
Dutch
Goedenavond
HOO-den-ah-vont
Swedish
God kvΓ€ll
good kvel
Norwegian
God kveld
goo kvel
Greek
KalispΓ©ra
kah-lee-SPEH-rah
Polish
Dobry wieczΓ³r
DOH-brih VYEH-choor
Russian
Dobryy vecher
DOB-ree VEH-cher
Hungarian
JΓ³ estΓ©t
yo ESH-tayt
Latvian
Labvakar
LAB-vah-kar
Romanian
Bună seara
BOO-nah SEH-ah-ra

Asia & the Pacific

Japanese
Konbanwa
kohn-bahn-WAH
Korean
Annyeonghasimnikka
ahn-nyong-hah-SHIM-nee-kah
Mandarin Chinese
Wǎnshàng hǎo
wahn-shahng how
Hindi
Shubh sandhya
shoobh SAHN-dyah
Indonesian
Selamat malam
seh-LAH-mat MAH-lam
Vietnamese
ChΓ o buα»•i tα»‘i
chow booy toy
Hawaiian
Aloha ahiahi
ah-LOH-hah ah-hee-AH-hee

Middle East & Africa

Hebrew
Erev tov
EH-rev tohv
Arabic
Masa' al-khair
mah-SAH al-KHAYR
Swahili
Habari za jioni
hah-BAH-ree za jee-OH-nee
Afrikaans
Goeienaand
HOO-ee-nahnt

Fun facts about evening greetings

  • Spanish speakers use "Buenas tardes" for the entire afternoon and early evening, then switch to "Buenas noches" once it's fully dark β€” one greeting does double duty.
  • In Korean, the level of formality changes the whole word β€” "Annyeonghasimnikka" is used with elders or in business, while friends simply say "Annyeong".
  • Portuguese speakers in Brazil often say "Boa tarde" well into what English speakers would call evening, since the greeting is tied to daylight rather than the clock.

Frequently Asked Questions About Good Evening in Different Languages

How do you say Good Evening in different languages?

Good Evening is expressed differently across languages. Examples include Erev tov in Hebrew, Guten Abend in German, Kalespera in Greek, Buona sera in Italian, and Konbanwa in Japanese.

How do you say Good Evening in Hebrew?

Erev tov is a common transliteration of the Hebrew greeting for Good Evening.

How do you say Good Evening in German?

Guten Abend is the German expression for Good Evening.

How do you say Good Evening in Japanese?

Konbanwa is the commonly used Japanese evening greeting.

What is the difference between Good Evening and Good Night?

Good Evening is generally used to greet someone when meeting in the evening. Good Night is usually said when leaving, ending a conversation late in the day, or going to bed.

Why learn Good Evening greetings in other languages?

Learning evening greetings in other languages can help you communicate politely, appreciate different cultures, and make friends from around the world feel welcome.