good afternoon/good evening

[smoolya]

4.00 pm is good evening or good afternoon

[Andromeda]

As I always thought it was 'good afternoon' before high tea (5pm), and 'good evening' after high tea, I would put it as 'good afternoon'.

Andy

[firefly]

You could say that any time after 12 midday was afternoon. Evening could be used instead of afternoon. You can also say 'Good morning' in the afternoon and be understood. Perhaps a term like 'Good day' would sound better?

[Ewood27]

The Cambridge Dictionary rather unhelpfully defines 'evening' as 'the part of the day between the end of the afternoon and night'. However, the well-respected American Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as 'a : the latter part and close of the day and early part of the night b chiefly Southern & Midland : AFTERNOON c : the period from sunset or the evening meal to bedtime'. In the very depth of winter 4 p.m. might just qualify as after sunset but I feel that's pushing it. In my book 4 p.m. would be afternoon.

[firefly]

'Good morning' seems a much cheerful thing to say than either 'good afternoon' or 'good evening'-good evening espicially sounds a bit sinister. Since 'good evening' refers to the goodness of a time before a particular time, and 'good morning' to the goodness of the start of a particular time, only 'good afternoon' really refers to a particular time of day-that after noon. However we seem to wish to separate these three terms out. Hope that answers your question.