Bon(ne) après-midi

Struggling to break through the language barrier? Maybe we can help. Heard, seen or said something that made you giggle? We'd love to hear about it.

Moderator: Moderators

Post Reply
martyn94
Rank 5
Rank 5
Posts: 2086
Joined: Sun 14 Apr 2013 14:37

Bon(ne) après-midi

Post by martyn94 »

I was going to say that my boulangère wished me "bon après-midi" today about 1230, and to add that no-one ever says that in Normandy, although they do quite often say "bonne fin de l'après-midi" a bit later on, which I never hear down here, though to compensate they say "bon soir" down here a bit earlier than they would up there.

The marginally more interesting thing, it turns out, and if you're an obsessive pedant, is that "après-midi" can be either masculine or feminine, depending how you choose to toss the coin. Fashions have apparently changed over the centuries, but the jury is still out.
catllar
Rank 2
Rank 2
Posts: 40
Joined: Sun 18 Sep 2016 00:31

Post by catllar »

S'obvious - the earlier you say 'bonsoir' the earlier you can break out the aperos!!
Life is not a rehearsal
Post Reply