Signification
Greeting.
Contexte culturel
The 'apogevma' is the time for the 'volta' (stroll). People dress up slightly and walk in the squares or by the sea. Offices often reopen at 5 PM after the midday break. 'Kalo apogevma' marks the start of this second shift. Calling someone between 2 PM and 5 PM is considered very rude. 'Kalo apogevma' is the 'safe' greeting once that period ends. In Cyprus, the timing is similar, but you might hear local dialect variations in the surrounding conversation.
The 4 PM Rule
When in doubt, start using this phrase after 4:00 PM. It's the safest time to transition from 'mesimeri' to 'apogevma'.
Arrival vs Departure
Remember: 'Kalispera' is for arriving, 'Kalo apogevma' is mostly for leaving. Don't walk into a party and say 'Kalo apogevma'!
Signification
Greeting.
The 4 PM Rule
When in doubt, start using this phrase after 4:00 PM. It's the safest time to transition from 'mesimeri' to 'apogevma'.
Arrival vs Departure
Remember: 'Kalispera' is for arriving, 'Kalo apogevma' is mostly for leaving. Don't walk into a party and say 'Kalo apogevma'!
Add 'Sas'
If you want to impress a Greek shopkeeper, say 'Kalo sas apogevma'. The 'sas' makes you sound much more fluent and respectful.
The Siesta Gap
If a shop is closed in the afternoon, don't be annoyed. It's 'mesimeri'. They will be back for the 'apogevma'!
Teste-toi
Which greeting is appropriate at 5:00 PM when leaving a shop?
Φεύγετε από το κατάστημα στις 17:00. Τι λέτε;
5:00 PM is the perfect time for 'Kalo apogevma', especially when leaving.
Complete the formal version of the phrase.
Καλό ____ απόγευμα.
'Σας' is the formal/plural pronoun used to show respect.
Match the time to the greeting.
1. 09:00, 2. 14:00, 3. 17:00
Morning is Kalimera, Midday is Kalo mesimeri, Afternoon is Kalo apogevma.
Finish the dialogue.
Πέτρος: 'Θα τα πούμε αύριο!' Μαρία: 'Έγινε, Πέτρο! _________.'
When saying 'see you tomorrow' in the afternoon, 'Kalo apogevma' is the most natural response.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Greek Greetings by Time
Morning (06:00-13:00)
- • Καλημέρα
Midday (13:00-16:00)
- • Καλό μεσημέρι
Afternoon (16:00-Sunset)
- • Καλό απόγευμα
Evening (Sunset-Bedtime)
- • Καλησπέρα
- • Καλινύχτα
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesΦεύγετε από το κατάστημα στις 17:00. Τι λέτε;
5:00 PM is the perfect time for 'Kalo apogevma', especially when leaving.
Καλό ____ απόγευμα.
'Σας' is the formal/plural pronoun used to show respect.
1. 09:00, 2. 14:00, 3. 17:00
Morning is Kalimera, Midday is Kalo mesimeri, Afternoon is Kalo apogevma.
Πέτρος: 'Θα τα πούμε αύριο!' Μαρία: 'Έγινε, Πέτρο! _________.'
When saying 'see you tomorrow' in the afternoon, 'Kalo apogevma' is the most natural response.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's better to use 'Kalimera' or 'Kalo mesimeri'. 1:00 PM is still considered midday in Greece.
It is neutral. It works in almost every situation, from friends to strangers.
'Apogevma' is afternoon (sun is up), 'vradi' is evening/night (sun is down).
The most common reply is 'Επίσης!' (Episis), which means 'Likewise!'.
It's a common Greek noun ending derived from ancient Greek verbal nouns. They are always neuter.
Yes, it's a very polite way to end an email sent in the afternoon.
Not quite. 'Kalispera' is 'Good evening' and is used as a greeting. 'Kalo apogevma' is a wish for the afternoon.
Yes, dozens of times. It is one of the most frequent social phrases in the language.
People will understand you, but it sounds like saying 'a good (feminine) afternoon' in English. It's a gender error.
'Kalo ypolipo' is the closest thing to a casual, shorthand version.
Expressions liées
Καλησπέρα
similarGood evening
Καλό μεσημέρι
similarGood midday
Καλό υπόλοιπο
builds onGood rest (of the day)
Καλό βράδυ
contrastGood evening (wish)
Καλημέρα
contrastGood morning
