When to Say Guten Morgen, Guten Tag, Guten Abend: German Greetings by Time of Day
In Germany greetings change depending on the time of day. Just like in English, using the correct greeting shows politeness and cultural understanding.
Terms like Vormittag (late morning) and Nachmittag (afternoon) help define the time periods more precisely.
German Time-of-Day Terms Vocabulary With Translations
German Term | English Translation |
|---|---|
der Morgen | the morning (early morning) |
der Vormittag | the forenoon / late morning (around 9–12) |
der Mittag | the noon / midday (around 12–13) |
der Nachmittag | the afternoon (around 13–17/18) |
der Abend | the evening |
die Nacht | the night |
der Tag | the day |
Here’s when to use each greeting:
1. Guten Morgen – "Good Morning"
Use Guten Morgen from early morning (6:00 AM) until around 11:00 AM.
This is the early part of the day and includes Morgen and Vormittag.
Vormittag = before midday (roughly 9:00 to 12:00), but we still use Guten Morgen until around 11:00.
It’s appropriate when you first see someone in the day and want to greet them with warmth and energy.
Example: You meet your colleague at 8:30 AM – say, “Guten Morgen!”
2. Guten Tag – "Good Day"
Say Guten Tag from around 10:00 or 11:00 AM until 5:00 or 6:00 PM.
This period includes:
Late Vormittag (before 12:00)
Mittag = noon from about 12:00 to 13:00
Nachmittag = afternoon, from about 13:00 to 5:00 or 6:00 PM
Even though Germans talk about Nachmittag, they still use Guten Tag throughout this period.
This is the standard daytime greeting and can be used in both formal and casual settings.
Example: You enter a shop at 2:00 PM – say, “Guten Tag!”
3. Guten Abend – "Good Evening"
Use Guten Abend from around 5:00 or 6:00 PM onward, when the day starts winding down. It’s a friendly, polite way to greet someone in the evening.
Example: You arrive at a dinner party at 7:00 PM – say, “Guten Abend!”
Remember, all three are formal greetings. If you want a more casual “hi” at any time of day, you can use Hallo.
and one more: When to say farewell "Gute Nacht" - "Good Night" ?
When someone is heading to sleep or leaving for the night.
Typically used from around 9:00 - 10:00 PM onward until early morning.
It’s polite and warm — like wishing someone a restful night.
“Gute Nacht” is generally neutral and can therefore be used in both formal and informal farewells.
German Time-of-Day Terms with Greetings
Time Range | German Term | English Translation | Typical Greeting |
|---|---|---|---|
~06:00 – 09:00 | Morgen | Morning | Guten Morgen |
~09:00 – 12:00 | Vormittag | Forenoon / Late Morning | Guten Morgen / Guten Tag (since 11:00) |
12:00 – 13:00 | Mittag | Noon / Midday | Guten Tag |
~13:00 – 17:59 | Nachmittag | Afternoon | Guten Tag |
11:00 – 17:59 | Tag (general) | Day / Daytime | Guten Tag |
~18:00 – 22:00+ | Abend | Evening | Guten Abend |
22:00 – 05:59 | Nacht | Night | When you meet someone at night, you’ll usually say: Hallo or Guten Abend. |
Also find out more about formal and informal greetings in Germany.