¡Buenas tardes!

Good afternoon!

Breakdown of ¡Buenas tardes!

• buenas tardes: good afternoon

Questions & Answers about ¡Buenas tardes!

Why is it buenas and not buen or buena?

Because tardes is a feminine plural noun, so the adjective has to agree with it.

• bueno = masculine singular
• buena = feminine singular
• buenos = masculine plural
• buenas = feminine plural

Since tardes is feminine plural, you say buenas tardes.

Why is tardes plural if English says good afternoon in the singular?

This is just how Spanish expresses the greeting. Spanish uses:

• buenos días
• buenas tardes
• buenas noches

So even though English uses the singular in good afternoon, Spanish uses the plural form tardes. It is something you should learn as a fixed expression.

Do I need to say the full phrase Buenas tardes, or can I just say Buenas?

In Spain, people very commonly shorten it to Buenas, especially in casual situations.

For example:

• entering a shop
• greeting neighbors
• greeting coworkers informally

Buenas tardes sounds more complete and a bit more neutral or polite.
Buenas is normal and natural, but slightly more informal.

What time of day should I use Buenas tardes in Spain?